Former South Australian Deputy Leader Vicxjmtzywkie Chapman has announced she will quit politics, just hours after the Liberals voted on a new leadership team.
Her decision will force a by-election her electorate of Bragg in Adelaide's eastern suburbs.
Ms Chapman has held the seat since 2002 and defeated Labor’s Rick Sarre with 58.2 per cent of the two-party preferred vote.
She was also the first woman in the state's history to be the Deputy Premier and Attorney-General.
“I think it’s important that the electorate has an opportunity to preselect and elect another member,” Ms Chapman told The Advertiser.
“(Former Premier) Steven (Marshall) and I have had our turn. We had four years. I’m proud of what we did and I’m proud of what he achieved.”
New Liberal leader David Speirs was questioned on Tuesday about the party being divided and Ms Chapman‘s noticeable absence from the vote.
He told reporters she was on holidays visiting her grandchildren in NSW and denied there were cracks within the party or a feud between her and himself.
Speaking on morning radio on Wednesday, Mr Speirs said he was “disappointed” by her decision to leave.
“I‘d like to think Vickie would have been able to mentor colleagues,” he said.
“It's not necessarily ideal but it is what it is.
“She’s given a lot to the state in (her 20-year career) and all I can do is recognise and celebrate that and move towards the future.“
Labor’s Manager of Government Business Tom Koutsantonis said the move was a “breathtaking explosion” of the party’s divisions.
“The SA Liberal Party is so hopelessly divided they can’t even elect a new leader without an outbreak of recriminations,” he said.
“Make no mistake, there are Liberals who do not support David Speirs’ leadership and are hellbent on damaging him.”
Mr Sarre said he wanted to run for Labor again in the Bragg by-election.
“It’s always been the most Liberal seat in the residential area of Adelaide,” he said.
“I’m now very confident that having another go, (Labor) could win that seat. At a by-election, anything can happen.”
He said Ms Chapman’s resignation was expected after having previous conversations with Premier Peter Malinauskas on election day, after the Labor Party won.
“Everyone at that stage was saying Vickie Chapman, having had 16 years in opposition and four years in government, was not going to be there for the long haul.”
