Brent Potter

Brent Potter is an Australian politician who represented the Fannie Bay in the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly from a 2022 by-election on 20 August 2022 until his defeat at the 2024 election.

Brent Potter
Member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly for Fannie Bay
In office 20 August 2022 – 24 August 2024
Preceded by	Michael Gunner
Succeeded by	Laurie Zio
Personal details
Born	Brent Potter
Nationality	Australian
Political party	Labor
Children	Four
Alma mater	University of New South Wales
Military service
Allegiance	Australia
Branch/service	Australian Army
Unit	NORFORCE

Career

Before his political career, Potter worked in the Australian Army, during which he was deployed to Afghanistan. He also worked in aged care, defence manufacturing, business development, and as a policy advisor to Natasha Fyles, the Northern Territory's Chief Minister from 13 May 2022 until her resignation in 2023. Potter has lived in Darwin since 2009. He has a Master's of Business from the University of New South Wales.^[1][2]

Political career

Former Chief Minister of the Northern Territory Michael Gunner resigned from his seat of Fannie Bay in the Legislative Assembly on 27 July 2022, triggering the 2022 Fannie Bay by-election.^[3] The Labor Party revealed Potter as its candidate on 30 July.^[1] Potter's now deactivated LinkedIn page showed he had previously worked for an aerospace company which he had helped secure $10 million in public funds from the government.^[4][5]

At the by-election on 20 August, he was elected, withstanding a swing against him.^[6]

Potter enacted the 2024 Alice Springs curfews and supported the subsequent curfew legislation.

Controversies

Offensive social media posts on Facebook

In March 2024, it was reported in the media that Potter had made racist and antisemitic social media posts and jokes on Facebook over the past 11 years, which he apologised for and has since deleted. Potter has since called out racism in the Northern Territory Police Force.^[7][8]

In the posts, Potter reportedly shared offensive memes, quoted Nazis, praised Vladimir Putin and casually used the word "nigger". Potter apologised for the posts and said they were satirical and did not represent his views.^[9]

Personal life

Potter has four children.^[1]