Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff backs ousted federal MP Bridget Archer’s political comeback

Just weeks after she lost her seat to a Labor newcomer, Bridget Archer has announced her return to politics eyeing a seat in a yet-to-be announced election.

Ousted rebel MP Bridget Archer has confirmed she will be making a state tilt, with under-pressure Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff backing her for preselection.

The announcement comes as Mr Rockliff is expected to call an election within days after the state Labor government, led by Opposition Leader Dean Winter, passed a no-confidence motion in parliament.

Mr Rockliff said Ms Archer has “put her hand up for preselection” for one of the seven state seats of Bass, with the Liberals currently holding three of the electorates.

The political comeback comes just weeks after the former Liberal MP for Bass lost her seat to first-time candidate and former basketball coach Jess Teesdale, suffering a 9.4 per cent swing against the Liberal Party.

Ms Archer acknowledged the Liberals “bruising federal election loss”, and said she was “absolutely appalled” by Mr Winter’s state parliament “shenanigans”.

Embattled Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff backed Bridget Archer to be preselected for one of the seven state electorates in Bass.

“(It’s) 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,” she told reporters.

“He has refused to make the parliament work. He declined the opportunity to make this parliament work.”

During her six-year stint in federal parliament, Ms Archer earned a reputation for crossing the floor on issues like the social media ban for children under 16s, despite bipartisan support from the Coalition.

Asked if she would still cross the floor on issues she feels strongly about, Ms Archer said the hoped she “would not need to” but admitted that she was “a strong voice”.

“I am the same person that I have always been. I’m not likely to sit quietly and not have my say,” she said.

“Do I want to go out and fight another election? No, I don’t, because also I suspect the people of Tasmania don’t want to be going to another election.

“But the reckless and selfish actions of Dean winter and his grab for power have sent us to this situation.”

Bridget Archer lost her federal Tasmanian seat to Labor challenger Jess Teesdale. Picture: NewsWire/ Scott Gelston

Mr Rockliff also reiterated comments that Mr Winters has “forced” an election on Tasmanians, just 16 months after the most recent state election, and the fourth state poll in just seven years.

While Mr Rockliff could prevent a snap poll if he resigns, he claimed Mr Winter has “forced an election upon Tasmanians”.

While parliament will resume on Tuesday to pass critical supply bills

“I did not want an election. I wanted the parliament to continue in a sensible way, it has been working well by any objective analysis,” he said.

“This is a parliament that was elected back in March 2024 and a parliament that has largely been working well, all but for Dean winters, selfish grab for power.”

Federal Tasmanian senator Jonno Duniam has urged the state leadership to have a “good, long think” over the potential for a sudden election.

“Unless my colleagues are 100 per cent certain that the voters of Tasmania are not going to punish them for sending them to an early election, they should be taking whatever steps are necessary,” he said.

“Going to an election will be a bad outcome.”

Originally published as Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff backs ousted federal MP Bridget Archer’s political comeback