Former Liberal staffer Chelsey Potter’s emotional reaction to federal parliament’s Statement of Acknowledgment

She once felt like a “trouble maker” for speaking out about her alleged sexual assault – but now Adelaide’s Chelsey Potter feels validated.

When she spoke out in 2019 about the sexual assault she had allegedly suffered at the hands of a senior Liberal staffer, Adelaide woman Chelsey Potter was seen as a “troublemaker”.

But as she sat in federal parliament on Tuesday, watching the Prime Minister apologise for the toxic culture that was allowed to fester in Parliament House, she felt validated.

“When I spoke out, I was seen as a bit of a troublemaker, it wasn’t something that really happened previously,” Ms Potter told The Advertiser.

“But (on Tuesday), hearing what I heard (in parliament), it felt that I had moved from a troublemaker to someone who had actually created change, and that was very emotional for me.”

In 2019, Ms Potter, 33, alleged she was sexually assaulted by a male colleague while working as a Liberal Party adviser in Canberra in 2015.

She has since been a fierce advocate for women’s safety, and was a key contributor in Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins’ review of parliamentary workplace culture.

Chanel Contos, Rachelle Miller, Brittany Higgins, Chelsey Potter and Josie Coles. – in attendance to witness federal government's apology to alleged victims of sexual assault on Tuesday 8 February 2022.

Chelsey Potter was allegedly sexually assaulted by a political staffer in Canberra. Picture: Facebook

On the first sitting day of the year, the first recommendation of that review was fulfilled, as Parliament House issued a joint Statement of Acknowledgment, recognising the “unacceptable history of workplace bullying, sexual harassment and sexual assault in Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces”.

Scott Morrison apologised to sexual assault survivors, including ex-federal government staffer Brittany Higgins, whose alleged rape by a male colleague at Parliament House in 2019 triggered the review.

“I am sorry. We are sorry. I’m sorry to Ms Higgins for the terrible things that took place here,” Mr Morrison said as Ms Higgins watched from the public gallery.

“And the place that should have been a place of safety and contribution turned out to be a nightmare.

“But I am sorry for far more than that – for all of those who came before Ms Higgins and endured the same.”

Ms Potter said “being in that building in those circumstances was surreal”.

“They did apologise, which I found deeply heartening, and I think this is the opportunity to start moving forward … so that future generations of staffers can be safe and productive and can contribute in that place,” Ms Potter said.