Firebrand Liberal senator Alex Antic launches legal action against a former party staffer Hannah March over derogatory Twitter post

It is believed the legal action, an internal disciplinary issue and her “polarising views” were behind her withdrawing her state parliament bid last week.

Senator Alex Antic at the CPAC Conference held at the ICC Sydney. NSW Picture: NewsWire / Monique Harmer

One of South Australia’s firebrand politicians has launched legal action against a former political staffer from his own party over disparaging social media remarks.

Liberal Senator Alex Antic, 48, has served a defamation “concerns notice” on ex Federal party adviser Hannah March, 35, over a controversial Twitter post late last year.

Senator Antic has issued the notice, a prelude to formal court action if settlement fails, over a highly personal attack published on the microblogging site in December.

Former Liberal party staffer Hannah March (right) with ex Defence Minister Christopher Pyne and then US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis, Airforce Officer Sharne Kinleyside. Picture: LinkedIn

Precise details, including Miss March’s specific phrase, cannot be published for legal reasons. The parties, both lawyers, refused to comment but it is understood their lawyers are currently working to settle the dispute.

Party sources said the legal action launched by Senator Antic, and Miss March’s social media use, had raised eyebrows.

“The irony has not been lost on any of us that this involves a so-called ‘freedom of speech warrior’ sending people legal letters threatening defamation,” one Liberal said.

It is believed the legal action, an internal disciplinary issue and her “polarising views” were behind Miss March – a chief of staff to former Defence Minister Christopher Pyne – withdrawing her state parliament bid last week.

Senators Matt Canavan, Malcolm Roberts, Alex Antic and Ralph Babet in the senate at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Moderate faction leaders declined to support the former prosecutor and now justice charity campaigner, for the lucrative upper house position left by retiring former health Minister Stephen Wade.

In December last year, sources said the Liberal state executive – its administrative board – debated her expulsion “for conduct that was perceived by some as having brought the party into disrepute”.

The long discussion, raised by new president, businessman and aspiring MP Rowan Mumford, followed complaints from Senator Antic about her “bullying”.

Sources said, in the end, it was split with some suggesting an investigation while others urged no action.

The expulsion bid failed, but the issue is unresolved.

The race to replace former health Minister Mr Wade, 62, after 17 years on the Legislative Council’s red benches is shaping as a two-horse race before nominations close on Monday, sources said.

Brother and sister Lucy and Ben Hood are on opposite side of the political divide. Lucy is the MP for Adelaide and Ben is a Liberal, who is now nominating for the Legislative Council. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

Liberal vice president Leah Grantham who is nominating for the Legislative Council. Picture: LinkedIn

As The Advertiser foreshadowed, the early favourite is Mt Gambier-based councillor, father-of-three Ben Hood, 42, who was urged to nominate instead of seeking a local lower house seat. He declined to comment.

He has the conservative faction’s support ahead of left “unity ticket” candidate, defence industry leader, mother-of-two, and party vice president, Leah Grantham, 45.

Ms Grantham, whose father is former upper house speaker John Dawkins, said she was “pleased to be contesting this important preselection”.

With another bitter factional fight looming, sources said Liberal leader David Speirs, who has publicly called for more women MPs, and Mr Hood had a frank conversation last week.

Mr Speirs told him he did not have his support, would have limited promotion, and warned of a strategic blunder in not fighting for the region as a lower house politician.

Alana Sparrow, a BHP executive, who is considering running for the Legislative Council. Picture: supplied

Former Liberal MP for Elder Carolyn Power with her husband Brad Power and their dog Napoleon at Edwardstown Primary School. She has pulled out. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

Former health minister Stephen Wade is resigning from parliament. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

One senior source said: “It will be a difficult decision to choose between two quality candidates, but we have an image problem with women.

“It’s asking the state council to vote for a woman who is also really, really good. We need both in parliament but the optics for another man would be terrible.”

Another candidate may also include local businesswoman, mother of two Alana Sparrow, 42, the local corporate affairs principal for BHP and former Cancer Council executive.

Former MP Carolyn Power, Mr Speirs’ ally, has ruled herself out despite being “heartened” by internal support.