Premier announces former federal Bass MP will make state stand
The former federal MP Bridget Archer is keen to bounce back from last month’s election loss after flinging her hand up for preselection as Tasmania hurtles towards an election.
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After the chaos of the no confidence motion in parliament, Jeremy Rockliff has all but guaranteed an election by announcing former federal member Bridget Archer is up for preselection for the state seat of Bass.
Mr Rockliff said he was pleased Ms Archer was willing to put up her hand for preselection to be endorsed by the Liberal Party to stand at the next state election.
“An election that I did not want, Tasmanians did not want and Tasmanians cannot afford,” he told media at Newstead on Sunday.
“Bridget is experienced. Bridget is a fighter. Bridget understands the importance of being part of that team Tasmania and with the calibre of someone such as Bridget Archer willing to join many other candidates who are putting up their hands right now to ensure that we can stop Dean Winter’s selfish grab for power.”
After Thursday’s harrowing no-confidence motion against him, Mr Rockliff has been under pressure to resign, but instead is remaining steadfast as leader and ready to call an early election.
The no-confidence motion was led by Labor leader Dean Winter over debt issues, privatisation and the TT-Line debacle.
Mr Rockliff is expected to remain in the top job until the budget is passed in parliament on Tuesday.
On Sunday, Mr Rockliff said the election had been guaranteed by Mr Winter’s actions.
Ms Archer is known for crossing the floor in federal parliament, and said she would do what she believed in should she be successful in a state election.
“I am a strong voice. I have always been a strong voice,” she said.
“Unlike Dean Winter, I’m nobody’s puppet, and I will stand up every single day for what’s in the best interests of Tasmania.”
Mr Rockliff confirmed the party would still be led by him.
Ms Archer said despite the “bruising” from the federal election, she was motivated by Mr Winter’s “power grab” to stand.
“Like many Tasmanians, I have spent the last few days absolutely appalled with the shenanigans that have been played out by Dean Winter in the state parliament,” she said.
“An utterly disgraceful display of self interest and a grab for power with no credible alternative in place, either, no credible alternative pathway for Tasmania going forward, he has refused to make the parliament work.”
The last state election was just 14 months ago when the Liberal scraping into power with a minority government.
Mr Rockliff and Ms Archer were not shaken by the Liberal’s defeat in the federal election.
Mr Archer said while she fought hard in the federal election, the campaign against her was around leadership.
“If we’re applying that here in Tasmania, in Bass, going into a state election, I am 100 per cent happy to have people say a vote for Bridget Archer is a vote for Jeremy,” she said.
Mr Rockliff said he has had “overwhelming support” over the days since the no confidence motion.
“Tasmanians do not want individuals such as Dean Winter putting their own self interests against theirs,” he said.
On Sunday, Shadow Treasurer Josh Willie said it was “entirely on” Mr Rockliff if Tasmanians were sent back to the polls.
“Jeremy Rockliff thinks he can put Tasmania through another election because his position in the government is more important than the government continuing without him,” Mr Willie said.
“I made it clear in the parliamentary debate that I respected Jeremy’s contribution even though he has lost his way as premier.
“It is sad to watch his own ego and desperate desire to do and say anything to cling to power be more important than accepting the reality of parliament passing no confidence in him as premier and doing the honourable thing and resigning.”
Originally published as Premier announces former federal Bass MP will make state stand
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