Elise Archer says Premier Rockliff should have ‘done the right thing’ and resigned to avoid election
A former Attorney-General is making an independent bid in the upcoming state election, frustrated with Tasmania’s current government. What her run could mean for the political landscape.
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A former Liberal Attorney-General will run as an independent at the state election saying Jeremy Rockliff should have resigned to avoid a poll.
Elise Archer, who was also Tasmania’s first female Speaker in the House of Assembly, will stand in Clark and says she does not believe there will be a majority government after the July 19 election – the fourth in just seven years.
“I’ve become increasingly frustrated with the poor governance in recent years,” she told the Sunday Tasmanian.
“The Rockliff Government has stopped listening to Tasmanians and it seems they can no longer manage a sustainable budget or major critical projects.
“I’m no longer a member of the Liberal Party and believe the electorate of Clark will be better represented by my standing as a moderate, sensible, and measured independent with the experience necessary to fix this fiasco.”
Asked if Mr Rockliff should have resigned, Ms Archer said: “I don’t want to focus on personalities suffice to say, I would have expected any Premier to resign after a no-confidence motion – not only to do the right thing but to avoid an election.”
A former Hobart alderman, Ms Archer was first elected to the seat of Denison, now Clark in 2010 and was widely regarded as a hard-working local member.
She was also hailed for her reforms at Attorney-General from 2018 including the establishment of the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
At the 2021 election she was the Liberal Party’s top vote winner with 9402 first preferences.
Ms Archer said one of the issues she would campaign on would be better access to housing.
“Critical areas for me are the economy and fixing the perilous state of our Budget, cost of living, housing, health, and education.
“We must focus on generating housing investment and making it easier to develop subdivisions.”
Ms Archer believes a “minority government is now inevitable” in the 35-seat parliament and with the Hare Clark system.
“Therefore, we must be mature and negotiate our way forward in a minority situation.
“Moderate and sensible independents with experience are critical for a successful Parliament.
“An election was inevitable in circumstances where a Government has stopped listening and lost its way.
“I think there is little chance of a majority government for either major party.”
Ms Archer does not support the proposed Macquarie Point stadium.
“I want Tasmania to have an AFL team but we cannot spend endless taxpayer money to achieve an unsustainable and ongoing cost.
“No other AFL side has had such requirements placed on it.
“It will bankrupt the State and we now have more pressing areas to address – such as the public infrastructure necessary for the Spirits to name just one.
“Tasmania needs moderate and sensible independents to deliver what’s in the best interests of the State, its people and its finances.”
In 2023, Ms Archer resigned from cabinet and later parliament at the request of Premier Jeremy Rockliff after selective WhatsApp messages were leaked as well as unspecified bullying claims, which she strenuously denied.
She said after “overwhelming support” from the community it was not a difficult decision to stand.
“I trust that my reputation for working hard in my electorate will be remembered along with my honesty, openness, and integrity.”
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