Labor MP Facing Scrutiny for Enrolment on Vacant Block of Land

Labor MP Ali France who won the seat of Dickson from former Opposition Leader Peter Dutton is facing scrutiny for being enrolled to vote on a vacant block of land.

Queensland Liberal Senator James McGrath wrote to the Australian Electoral Commission on the matter.

“I’ve written to the electoral commissioner asking him to immediately investigate Labor in the Ali France for possible electoral fraud,” McGrath said in a social media post.

“It has come to light that Ms. France is currently enrolled to vote at a vacant block of land as her principal residence, which has sat empty for a significant period of time,” McGrath wrote.

The AEC confirmed it had received correspondence and was examining the matter.

“The AEC treats the integrity of the electoral roll and the application of legislation as matters of the highest importance. The AEC investigates all matters raised with us to confirm that Commonwealth electoral laws have been adhered to,” a spokesperson told The Epoch Times.

France defended her case saying she had complied with all relevant requirements.

“I have made all the appropriate declarations including my register of members’ interests,” she told The Epoch Times in a statement.

“I will of course comply completely with any request for information from the Australian Electoral Commission.”

Meanwhile she was quoted by the Daily Mail saying the house on the block had been demolished in February.

“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,” France said adding that she has lived at that address for five years.

Questions Raised in Senate Estimates

The issue was also raised during Senate Estimates on May 26, where Electoral Commissioner Jeff Pope was questioned by McGrath about enrolment requirements.

Pope explained that members of parliament are still required to provide a residential address for electoral purposes.

“If that is the person’s residential address and there is no evidence of them residing at that address, then that would be a matter we’d need to examine further.”

McGrath also questioned time requirements around electoral enrolment.

Pope said a person needs to live at an address for at least 30 days before nominating it as their residence.

Labor Senator Corinne Mulholland also raised a case involving former Queensland State Minister Tim Mander for allegedly enrolling to vote at a staffer’s address last year without living there.

The AEC referred his matter to the Australian Federal Police earlier this month.

During the hearing, Mulholland asked whether providing false or misleading information was an offence, officials confirmed that Section 137 of the Criminal Code made it a criminal offence to provide false or misleading information to a Commonwealth entity, which can carry penalties including imprisonment.