Labor’s Bragg by-election candidate Alice Rolls campaigns from home after daughter contracts Covid

In the final week before a by-election, most candidates would be doorknocking frantically. But Labor’s Alice Rolls will be stuck at home.

Labor candidate for Bragg Alice Rolls has made the decision to stop all forms of face-to-face campaigning just a week out from the Bragg by-election voting day.

The “devastating” decision was prompted by her daughter’s late-night RAT test, which revealed a positive Covid result – making Ms Rolls a close contact.

The former lawyer said she had tested negative but wanted to “put the health of the community first”.

“It’s one thing to go to the shops with a mask on and it’s another to stand at a polling booth all day,” she said. “Rules are in place for good reason.”

Ms Rolls had planned a week of doorknocking and handing out how-to-vote cards but will instead be “hitting the phones” as she attempts to win the safe Liberal seat.

Alice Rolls, Liberal candidate Jack Batty and Liberal MLC Nicola Centofanti campaigning outside Burnside Village, June 17.

The by-election for the seat of Bragg, on July 2, was triggered by the retirement of former Liberal deputy premier Vickie Chapman at the end of May.

And July 2 is the day the seven-day close contact restrictions are set to end for the Labor candidate, which means she can be active in person on the day.

Despite Ms Rolls’ self-imposed work-from-home mandate, she doesn’t think it will affect her results in the race.

“I think people will respect the decision that I’ve made,” she said.

“I have been working solidly for two-and-a-half weeks since I got preselected.”

Ms Rolls is facing Liberal candidate for Bragg Jack Batty, who is also a former lawyer.