Opera singer Grace Bawden investigated over City of Salisbury council election

An opponent has accused Adelaide opera singer Grace Bawden of using a fraudulent image in Salisbury Council election materials, but her mum says it’s all a “storm in a tea cup”.

Adelaide opera singer Grace Bawden is under investigation after being appointed to the City of Salisbury Council, with an opponent claiming she used a fraudulent image in election materials.

In a complaint to the Electoral Commission of SA (ECSA), seen by The Advertiser, Ms Bawden’s opponent Ananda Sukanpally claimed the image used in her election materials was six years old.

Under the Local Government Act, profile photographs submitted by a candidate must be taken within the last 12 months and endorsed on the back.

Ms Bawden, who starred on the 2008 season of TV talent show Australia’s Got Talent, said the photo had been submitted by her mother, who “did not know” when it had been taken.

Ms Bawden’s mother, Matilda Bawden, who also ran unsuccessfully Para Ward, said she entered Ms Bawden’s registration less than 24 hours before deadline and asked her to send a head shot without specifying the 12 month requirement.

Matilda said her daughter had been targeted by “vile and derogatory” comments and abuse as a result of the photo, labelling concerns a “storm in a tea cup”.

Election materials shared by City of Salsibury councillor Grace Bawden. Picture: Facebook

Ms Bawden’s mother, Matilda Bawden, said she did not know when the photo was taken. Picture: Today Tonight

“I couldn’t ID the time/date of the photo by the heading – I am not tech savvy – but it didn’t look old to me, so I uploaded it knowing we wouldn’t have time for professional head shots,” Matilda said.

“Among other things, some complainants have called my daughter as late as 10.40pm to abuse her and pretending to be another candidate specifically over the photo issue.

“It’s all a storm in a tea cup by a bunch of ‘sour grapes’ with political agendas that don’t align with ours.”

There is no suggestion that any of the abuse came from Mr Sukanpally.

ECSA confirmed it had received a complaint related to Ms Bawden’s nomination photograph but would not comment on the progress or detail of ongoing investigations.

Ms Bawden’s brother, Luke Bawden, also ran unsuccessfully for West Ward.

In 2021, Ms Bawden defended her social worker mother after she was banned from offering Covid-19 health advice.

At the time, she said her mother was being made an “example to all other anti-vaxxers” following allegations she had excluded clients who had been recently vaccinated from service.