[1] His father was a farmer and politician who represented the seats of Murray and Deniliquin in the Legislative Assembly between 1885 and 1901 as a Protectionist.

In 1927 he moved permanently to New South Wales and became a prominent wheat farmer in Lake Cargelligo.

Chanter was involved in local organizations in Tongala and Lake Cargellico including the show societies, Wheatgrowers Union and Freemasons.

He also served with the Light Horse Regiment of the First Australian Imperial Force during the Gallipoli and Damascus campaigns of the First World War.

Chanter defended the seat at the 1944 state election,[5] but he was defeated by the Country Party's Robert Medcalf in 1947.