Ali France to challenge Peter Dutton again after 2019 loss

Disability advocate Ali France will take her second shot at Peter Dutton at the next election despite a horror result at the 2019 poll.

Peter Dutton will again have to fight off a challenge from Ali France after the disability advocate was tapped by Labor for a second tilt at a key Queensland seat.

Ms France failed in her bid to topple the Home Affairs Minister in the seat of Dickson in 2019 as Labor suffered a shock defeat to the Coalition.

Announcing her candidacy alongside Labor leader Anthony Albanese on Friday, she said she was “grateful” for a second tilt at Dickson after suffering a swing of nearly 3 per cent in 2019.

Ms France had a leg amputated after being hit by a car in 2011, going on to become a world champion outrigger canoeist and advocate for people with disability.

“I’m not somebody who gives up easily. After 20 years of Peter Dutton, I am hoping to convince the people of Dixon that it’s time for a change,” she said on Friday.

Mr Albanese promised it would be the “first of many” candidate announcements in Coalition-held seats.

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Anthony Albanese has confirmed disability advocate Ali France will run against Peter Dutton at the next election. Picture: Annette Dew

Ms France lost her tilt at the Home Affairs Minister in 2019 but says she will work ‘even harder’ this time around. Picture: Glenn Hunt / AAP Image

The announcement came as Mr Dutton faced questions from Labor over why he did not disclose the Brittany Higgins rape allegation to Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Mr Dutton has held the seat since 2001 and, despite predictions he was under serious threat in 2019, boosted his margin to nearly 10 per cent.

Labor conducted a review into its 2019 failure, and Ms France said she was prepared to “work even harder” before the next election.

“I came away from the campaign feeling quite positive about the efforts we put in on the ground,” she said.

“The party has obviously done its own review, and I think we’ll be working even harder.

“This time, I’m ready to get going.”

Mr Albanese said experience from the 2019 campaign had battle-hardened Ms France.

Despite claims he was under threat, Mr Dutton boosted his margin at the 2019 election. Picture: Glenn Hunt / AAP Image

“I’m convinced that standing again for the second time, when we’ve already done all the name recognition issues you have with a first-time candidate, she has a great prospect of success,” he said.

Mr Dutton was forced to apologise during the 2019 campaign for suggesting Ms France had used her disability as an “excuse” to not live in the electorate.

She had been living just outside Dickson but said she was looking for a property with wheelchair accessibility in the electorate.

She confirmed on Friday that she had bought a property “close to her current house” inside the electorate.

“It’s got a bit of work to do to it, but it’s my home and I’m really excited about it,” she said.