Labor MP Ali France is facing an investigation by the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) regarding her principal place of residence, following claims that new evidence contradicts her enrolment details. The scrutiny centers on whether France has complied with electoral laws requiring Australians to enrol at their current address.
Senator James McGrath has written to the AEC, citing a development application submitted to the Brisbane City Council in November 2024. According to Senator McGrath, this application identifies a property owned by France in The Gap as her "principal place of residence." This property is located in the neighbouring electorate of Ryan, not Dickson, the seat France won in the 2025 federal election.
"The Development Application makes it unequivocally clear that Ali France considers her property at The Gap, in the electorate of Ryan, to be her principal place of residence," Senator McGrath stated. "This suggests that Ali France may not have been truthful about her enrolment at her property in Arana Hills, which by her own admission has been an empty block of land since February 2026."
France's enrolment at an Arana Hills address has been under investigation since reports revealed the property was an empty block of land. France, who lost a leg in an amputation, has stated that her home at Arana Hills was demolished in February to build a new, more accessible property, which she expects to be completed by the end of the year. She has indicated her intention to return to the Arana Hills address with her son.
"I have lived at the address for five years and will continue to live at the address," France previously told the Daily Mail, rejecting claims of breaching electoral rules. "It should be completed by the end of the year and my son and I are very much looking forward to moving back when construction is complete."
Further questions were raised after a social media post in January showed France in a video filmed at her Gap property, but tagged the location as Arana Hills. This property is approximately eight kilometres away and within her electorate of Dickson.
Under Section 101 of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, individuals are required to enrol at their current place of residence and update their details within 21 days of moving. Failure to do so can result in penalties, regardless of intent.
The AEC is currently assessing whether France's enrolment aligns with where she actually lives. A spokesperson for France has stated that she has "made all appropriate declarations, at all times."