Former Mildura MP and current Mildura Rural City Councillor Ali Cupper has announced she will not contest the 2026 Victorian State Election, bringing an end to her plans to reclaim the seat she lost four years ago.
In a deeply personal social media statement titled "Goodnight and Goodluck", Cupper reflected on the heartbreak of her 2022 election defeat, her achievements during four years in Parliament and the sacrifices her family has made throughout her political career.
Ultimately, she says the decision comes down to family, business and a desire to spend more time at home.
A Political Comeback That Won't Happen
Cupper made history in 2018 when she won the seat of Mildura as an independent, ending the Nationals' hold on the electorate.
She served one term before losing the seat to Nationals candidate Jade Benham at the 2022 election.
Despite the defeat, Cupper had remained determined to make a political comeback in 2026.
"Politics will break your heart. I thought I knew that, but the heartbreak of losing the 2022 election was beyond words," she wrote.
Reflecting on her time in Parliament, Cupper highlighted several achievements, including the return of Mildura Base Hospital to public management, air-conditioning in public housing and funding for the region's first dedicated drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre.
She also spoke of opportunities she believes could have been pursued during a second term, including a major redevelopment of Mildura Base Public Hospital, an autism school and improvements to Mildura West Primary School.
Cupper was critical of the Nationals' return to the seat, making a pointed reference to the distribution of yellow buckets.
"And now .... four years on ... everyone gets an empty yellow bucket," she wrote.
Family and Business Come First
While Cupper had spent years preparing for another election campaign, she explained that her personal and professional priorities have changed.
For the past three and a half years, she has been operating a multidisciplinary law practice from her kitchen table. With new opportunities emerging, she now wants to focus on expanding the business.
Family has also played a significant role in her decision.
Her son Jed was just 17 months old when she entered Parliament in 2018. He is now nine.
Cupper acknowledged the considerable sacrifices made by her partner Ben and their son throughout her years in public life, including the uncertainty and pressure that come with election campaigns.
She also reflected on how much of her family life has revolved around the election cycle, noting that she and Ben began their relationship shortly before the 2014 State Election.
Not Walking Away from Politics
Although Cupper is withdrawing from the state election campaign, she made it clear she has no intention of disappearing from public life.
She reaffirmed her commitment to her role as a councillor and to continuing her advocacy on issues important to the region.
Among her priorities are the future of Mildura Base Public Hospital and the long-running campaign to restore passenger rail services to Mildura.
Cupper also indicated she intends to hold political leaders accountable for their promises, particularly when it comes to returning the train.
What Does It Mean for the Mildura Election?
The announcement changes the political landscape ahead of the Victorian State Election on Saturday, 28 November.
The seat is currently held by Nationals MP Jade Benham, who defeated Cupper in a close contest in 2022.
Cupper had been expected to mount another strong independent challenge, having already demonstrated her ability to attract considerable support across the electorate.
Her decision to withdraw removes a well-known challenger from the contest and raises questions about where her previous supporters will direct their votes.
It also leaves the door open for other candidates to appeal to voters seeking an alternative to the major parties.
A Personal Message to the Mallee
Cupper concluded her announcement by thanking the voters who had supported her over the past 16 years, along with her campaign volunteers, former parliamentary staff, friends and family.
She said her political journey had demonstrated a continuing appetite for moderate, pragmatic and results-driven leadership in the Mallee.
While she will no longer be seeking a return to State Parliament, her message suggests she intends to remain a vocal presence in local affairs.
She signed off with a heartfelt message to the community:
For Ali Cupper, the ambition to return to State Parliament has come to an end — at least for now.
But her involvement in local politics, and her determination to advocate for Mildura and the wider Mallee, appear far from over.
Source: Ali Cupper's public statement, "Goodnight and Goodluck", published on the Ali Cupper Independent Facebook page.
