Labor MP Ali France to be investigated over suspected electoral breach over Queensland property

The Labor MP who ousted former opposition leader Peter Dutton at the last federal election is under investigation over a suspected breach of election rules.

Ali France has been reported to the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) by Queensland Liberal Senator James McGrath, who accused her of registering to vote on a vacant piece of land.

McGrath has claimed it was against electoral law to be registered to vote at a non-primary address. 

“It has come to light that Ms. France is currently registered to vote on a vacant plot of land as her primary residence, which has been vacant for some time,” he said in a statement.

“Under AEC guidelines and regulations, this would indicate a clear breach of the law and should therefore be investigated with the utmost seriousness and in a timely manner.

“A Labor MP being registered on a vacant piece of land is as unreliable as it gets. It’s as simple as that.” 

The AEC has confirmed it has received the letter and says it is investigating all matters raised by it.

“The AEC treats the integrity of the electoral roll and the application of legislation as matters of paramount importance,” an AEC spokesperson said.

“The AEC is investigating all matters raised with us to confirm compliance with Commonwealth electoral laws.”

France said she had made “all appropriate declarations, including my register of members’ interests”.

“I will of course fully comply with any request for information from the Australian Electoral Commission,” she said in a brief statement. 

France told Daily mail she had demolished a house on the now vacant lot to build a new house “that better suited my needs as a disabled woman”, which would be completed by the end of the year.

The Electoral Act stipulates that voters must update their address if they move, otherwise they risk a fine.

But the AEC says on its website that if a voter is absent from their registered address for a period of time but intends to return, they do not need to update their details.

“This includes if you plan to rebuild your home in the event of a disaster,” the AEC said on its website. 

McGrath first raised the issue during the Senate estimates last night, questioning whether an MP being registered to vote on vacant land would be breaking the law.

AEC Commissioner Jeff Pope said he would investigate the matter if that was the person’s home address and there is no evidence he lives there.

France became the first person in Australian history to oust an opposition leader from their own seat when they won Dickson from Dutton last year.