Spurned former Liberal party staffer Chelsey Potter considers ‘teal’ independent run in Vickie Chapman’s seat of Bragg

A former Liberal staffer spurned by her party for its blue ribbon seat may now run as a “teal” independent candidate after political chiefs rejected her nomination.

A former Liberal staffer spurned by her party for its blue ribbon seat may now run as a “teal” independent candidate after political chiefs rejected her nomination.

Chelsey Potter, 33, was among five candidates seeking preselection for the eastern suburbs seat of Bragg that former attorney-general Vickie Chapman is quitting.

Former liberal staff Chelsey Potter. Picture: Morgan Sette

But the party’s state executive candidate review committee dismissed her bid on Thursday night after she “aggressively and actively” campaigned against Liberals at the recent state and federal polls.

Opposition Leader David Speirs, who sat on the panel, said he was “comfortable” with disallowing her nomination.

Other Bragg hopefuls seeking pre-selection next weekend are Jack Batty, Sandy Biar – both ex staffers – businesswoman Cara Miller and commercial lawyer Melissa Jones.

Cara Miller who is seeking preselection for the seat of Bragg to replace former attorney-general Vickie Chapman. She is considered a front-runner. Picture: Twitter

Jack Batty, right, with wife Charlotte, middle, and mother-in-law former Channel 9 newsreader Georgina McGuiness, left. Pictured at their engagement party in 2018. Jack Batty is also an early favourite for the seat of Bragg to replace former Attorney-General Vickie Chapman. Picture supplied

Ms Potter, who accused a former party staffer of sexual assault in Canberra, is now considering her options including running as an independent.

Liberal sources expect her to fight as a “teal” with Greens and Labor preferences.

With a mix of Liberal and Greens policies such as climate change and boosting female MPs in parliament, nine “teal” candidates swept affluent interstate federal seats last week.

Ms Potter, formerly married to senior Liberal MP John Gardner, will discuss a potential tilt with the “grassroots”.

“My phone’s been in meltdown with great messages of support and I’m keen to talk to the membership about what it means for the party,” she said.

Lawyer Melissa Jones is also bidding for the blue-ribbon seat. Picture: supplied

Sandy Biar National Campaign Director of the @AusRepublic Movement. Picture: Twitter

The review meeting was critical of her “divisive and destructive” campaigning for independents in two country state seats, Flinders and Finniss and the federal regional electorate of Grey, which the Liberals all won.

Sources said “everybody had a view” about Ms Potter’s application but “there was really no debate” on the panel.

“She completely orchestrated and staged-managed the whole thing,” one said.

“We had to draw a line in the sand. This was the hill we’re going to stand and defend.”

Mr Batty, whose mother-in-law is former Channel 9 newsreader Georgina McGuinness, was a Liberal member while working for the Australian High Commission in London.

Mr Biar, the Australian Republic Movement’s chief, was permitted with a NSW membership as SA party rules don’t recognise other divisions.

Former Port Augusta mayor Sam Johnson and MP Robert Brokenshire rejoined the Liberals after running for minor parties.

MP Dennis Hood joined from Family First.

Former deputy premier Vickie Chapman (in red) pictured in the lower house in Parliament House. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe