Vickie Chapman - Politics

Politics

At one stage the Liberal Party state president, Chapman attempted to win Liberal preselection for the federal Division of Barker in 1998. Her husband, David, died in 2001 and she moved from Wayville to Tusmore with her two children. She again tried to win preselection, this time in the blue-ribbon seat of Bragg, located in Adelaide's wealthy eastern suburbs. When sitting member Graham Ingerson resigned, Chapman contested pre-selection against Liberal Minister Michael Armitage who was seeking to seat swap. Chapman easily gained preselection and retained Bragg. She was soon touted, both within her party and in the media, as a future Liberal leader. In other quarters, however, Chapman was seen as failing to live up to expectations on the floor of the house.

Following the defeat of the Kerin Liberal government at the 2002 state election, Chapman attained the shadow portfolios of Education and Children's Services. After the Liberals were soundly defeated in the 2006 election, Chapman was elected to the deputy leadership of the party in an unexpected joint ticket with factional rival Iain Evans. Strong backing was received from moderate faction bosses: former Premier Dean Brown and federal Member for Sturt Christopher Pyne.