It was the incoming MP’s third run at the electorate and a historic feat, being the first time a Labor candidate has unseated an opposition leader.

Ms France said on Saturday she was “incredibly grateful and proud of all of the people who have campaigned in this seat for such a long time”.

“You know, it’s been seven years of really hard work,” she told Sky News.

“And it’s such a privileged position to be in, and I thank the people of Dickson — whether you voted for me or not, or whether you voted Labor for the first time — I’m actually so grateful.”

A disability advocate, Ms France had her left leg amputated after saving her son Zac from an out-of-control car in 2011.

Mr Dutton drew fire during the campaign for suggesting she was using her disability as an excuse for not living in the electorate.

Ms France also drew fire after it was revealed she shared a doctored image of Mr Dutton wearing a Nazi uniform, and a similar one of then prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, in 2017.

Mr Albanese was forced to staunchly defend his party’s pick to take on his political opponent.

But in his concession speech, Mr Dutton had nothing but praise for the woman that ousted him and said her late son, Henry, “would be incredibly proud of her tonight”.

Henry died from leukaemia in March last year.

“She’ll do a good job as a local member for Dixon, and I wish her all the very best,” Mr Dutton told supporters.

Commenting on the tragedy she has experienced, Ms France said: “Life’s bittersweet”.

“It is a series of highs and lows,” she said.

“I think my son, Henry, he wanted me to do this. He was convinced that I would win this.

“It’s amazing, actually. We discussed it a lot, and I thought I wouldn’t be running because I would be caring for him.

“And he would say to me: ‘No, Mum, you have to do this. I know you’re going to win this time’.

“And I feel he’s been with me on this journey. And although it’s been hard, I’ve just thought about his strength in his journey, and that’s kept me going really.”