The internal factional battle plaguing the South Australian Liberal Party has erupted into the open following a dramatic confrontation at the Liberal Women’s Council annual general meeting. The event, which saw conservative factions solidify their grip on the party's administrative roles, was marked by a sharp exchange between former Deputy Premier Vickie Chapman and prominent anti-abortion activist Professor Joanna Howe.

A Battle Over the Camera

Professor Howe, an expert in labor law who was invited as a guest speaker alongside conservative Senator Alex Antic, attempted to film her address to the crowd. This move drew immediate objection from Ms. Chapman, a stalwart of the party’s moderate faction.

Ms. Chapman argued that filming was highly unusual, stating she had never seen meetings recorded in her five decades of working within the Liberal Party. In response, Professor Howe insisted on recording to prevent media misrepresentation, telling the meeting, "You've not seen this in 50 years, well times have changed."

The dispute was put to a democratic vote among attendees, which ultimately went in Professor Howe's favor. Following the decision, Ms. Chapman and a small group of her supporters walked out of the meeting.

Conservative Shift Solidified

The meeting was not just a battleground of words but a pivotal moment for the party’s power structure. The Liberal Women’s Council is a key body that determines delegates for the state council, which influences state and federal pre-selections. Tea Tree Gully Councillor Irena Zagladov, backed by Senator Antic, was elected as the council's new president. Antic-backed candidates also swept all 12 delegate positions up for vote.

Senator Antic is currently running uncontested for the SA Liberal Party state presidency, signaling a significant shift toward the conservative right within the state division.

Controversial Remarks Draw Condemnation

The fallout from the meeting intensified after Professor Howe and her husband posted a video online. In the footage, they referred to Ms. Chapman and her supporters as "witches" and celebrated the defeat of the moderate faction, referencing Ms. Chapman's role in decriminalizing abortion in South Australia in 2021.

"To see Vickie Chapman, the architect of killing babies right up until birth in this state, removed" was a cause for celebration, Professor Howe said in the video.

Deputy Opposition Leader Josh Teague publicly distanced the party leadership from the comments, urging respect and decency in public debate. He noted that Ms. Chapman, whom he described as "tough as they come," would handle the situation but emphasized that the remarks were unacceptable.

Meanwhile, conservative MP Tony Pasin defended the right-wing shift, suggesting that the backlash against Senator Antic's rising influence was overblown by media commentators.