Former Liberal staffer Chelsey Potter says she won’t run as an independent at Bragg by-election, receives apology for ‘far from ideal’ treatment

Former Liberal staffer Chelsey Potter will not run as an independent in the blue-ribbon seat of Bragg – but has received an apology and been given an important new role within the party.

Former Liberal staffer Chelsey Potter has received an apology for her “far from ideal” experience within the Liberal Party, and has been appointed to a new taskforce which will investigate ways to boost women’s participation within the Liberals.

Ms Potter appeared alongside Opposition Leader David Speirs as he made the apology, after she earlier confirmed she would not run as an independent at the upcoming Bragg by-election.

Mr Speirs said it was important that Ms Potter, who accused a former party staffer of sexual assault in Canberra, was involved in efforts to improve the party.

“Chelsey’s experience within the party has been far from ideal, but we must learn from it and listen to her point of view,” he said.

“Her experience is one that I hope will never be repeated and I am sorry that she has been through this.”

Chelsey Potter will not run in the Bragg by-election. Picture: Keryn Stevens

Ms Potter, who had been widely tipped to stand as an independent after her application for Liberal preselection was rejected, said she reached the decision not to run after “a very robust conversation with the leader last night”.

“It’s been a difficult decision, I’ve received a tremendous amount of support,” she said.

“In my view, this isn’t about me, this is about the future of women in this state and this is about a healthy two-party system that has a healthy relationship with women.

“The Liberal Party has an awful lot to do to get there.”

Ms Potter vowed to make sure the taskforce, which will make recommendations directly to Mr Speirs, was not a “toothless tiger”.

Other women appointed to the group include MLCs Nicola Centofanti, who will act as chair, as well as Michelle Lensink, Jing Lee and Laura Curran.

Penny Pratt, one of two women representing the Liberal Party in the lower house of state parliament, will also take part, as will Senate candidate Kerrynne Liddle. Former deputy premier Vickie Chapman will not be involved.

Earlier on Tuesday, Ms Potter, 33, informed colleagues and other party members of her decision to not battle for former Attorney-General Vickie Chapman‘s eastern-suburbs seat at next month’s by-election.

The decision, which is understood to have left many female members disappointed, paves a clear path for Ms Potter’s close friend, Jack Batty, to win the party’s safest Adelaide-based seat.

The Liberals preselected Mr Batty, 31, to contest Ms Chapman’s seat after the former AG quit politics, leaving just two female Liberal members in the lower house of state parliament.

Mr Batty’s landslide preselection, which flew in the face of an internal push led by Mr Speirs to increase female representation, has again inflamed tension from across the factional divide.

Ms Potter had also sought preselection but the party’s state executive candidate review committee dismissed her application after she “aggressively and actively” campaigned against the Liberals at the recent state and federal polls.

Originally published as Former Liberal staffer Chelsey Potter says she won’t run as an independent at Bragg by-election, receives apology for ‘far from ideal’ treatment