Ali Cupper
{{short description|Australian politician}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix =
| name = Ali Cupper
| honorific-suffix = MLA
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| constituency_AM = Mildura
| assembly = Victorian Legislative
| majority =
| term_start = 24 November 2018
| term_end = 26 November 2022
| predecessor = Peter Crisp
| successor = Jade Benham
| office2 = Deputy Leader of Reason Coalition
| term_start2 = 4 December 2020
| term_end2 = 13 May 2021
| predecessor2 = Position established
| successor2 =
| birth_date =
| birth_place =
| death_date =
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| restingplace =
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| birthname =
| nationality = Australian
| party = Independent (2018–present)
| otherparty = {{Plainlist|
- Reason Coalition (2020–2021)
- Labor (until 2013)
}}
| spouse =
| children =
| alma_mater =
| occupation = {{hlist|Solicitor|Social worker}}
}}
Alison Sarah Cupper (born 20 January 1980) is an Australian politician. She was an independent member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly from 2018 until 2022, representing the seat of Mildura, having previously been a Labor candidate for the seat.
Political career
She served on Mildura Rural City Council from 2013, and during that time was twice deputy mayor. She contested the seat of Mildura unsuccessfully in 2010 as the Labor candidate,{{cite news |title=ALP endorses Mildura candidate |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2010-09-23/alp-endorses-mildura-candidate/2270808 |accessdate=23 December 2018 |work=ABC News |date=23 September 2010 |language=en-AU}} and as an independent in 2014, before winning in 2018, becoming the first woman to hold the seat.
During Cupper's first year in office, she successfully lobbied the Andrews Government to return the privately operated Mildura Base Hospital to public management.
On 4 December 2020, Cupper entered into a coalition agreement with Fiona Patten, leader of the Reason Party.{{cite news |last1=Willingham |first1=Richard |title=Victorian MPs Fiona Patten and Ali Cupper form unique coalition |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-12-04/victorian-mps-fiona-patten-ali-cupper-form-coalition-of-women/12948418 |access-date=4 December 2020 |work=ABC News |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=3 December 2020}} The coalition agreement granted Reason a second representative in the Victorian Parliament, with Cupper being appointed Deputy Leader while retaining her status as an independent member of the Legislative Assembly.{{cite news |last1=Towell |first1=Noel |title=Mildura MP joins Patten's party, hopes for movement on the station |url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/mildura-mp-joins-patten-s-party-hopes-for-movement-on-the-station-20201203-p56kff.html |access-date=4 December 2020 |work=The Age |date=3 December 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Taylor |first1=Matt |title=Ali Cupper joins Reason Party for 'biggest wins' for Mildura |url=https://www.sunraysiadaily.com.au/news/2348981/ali-cupper-joins-reason-party-for-biggest-wins-for-mildura |access-date=4 December 2020 |url-access=subscription |work=Sunraysia Daily |date=4 December 2020}} Cupper ended the agreement on 13 May 2021.{{cite news |last1=Taylor |first1=Matt |title=Mildura MP Ali Cupper splits with Reason Party |url=https://www.sunraysiadaily.com.au/4258421/mildura-mp-ali-cupper-splits-with-reason-party |access-date=13 May 2021 |url-access=subscription | work=Sunraysia Daily |date=13 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513103357/https://www.sunraysiadaily.com.au/4258421/mildura-mp-ali-cupper-splits-with-reason-party |archive-date=13 May 2021 |url-status=live}}
In November 2024, Cupper was re-elected to Mildura Rural City Council and elected Deputy Mayor.{{cite web |title=Mildura region's new Mayor and Deputy Mayor elected |url=https://www.mildura.vic.gov.au/Latest-News/Mildura-regions-new-Mayor-and-Deputy-Mayor-elected |publisher=Mildura Rural City Council |access-date=2024-12-26}}
Personal life
Prior to her entry to the state Parliament, Cupper worked as a social worker and solicitor.{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/vic-election-2018/guide/mild/|title=Mildura|work=Victorian State Election 2018|last=Green|first=Antony|authorlink=Antony Green|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|year=2018}}
Cupper is married and has one child.
References
{{Reflist}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-par|au-vic}}
{{s-bef|before=Peter Crisp}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member for Mildura | years=2018–2022}}
{{s-aft|after=Jade Benham}}
{{s-end}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cupper, Ali}}
Category:Independent members of the Parliament of Victoria
Category:Members of the Victorian Legislative Assembly
Category:Women members of the Victorian Legislative Assembly
Category:Australian solicitors
Category:Victoria (state) local councillors
Category:Women local councillors in Australia
Category:21st-century Australian politicians
Category:21st-century Australian women politicians
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