Insult to injury: abusive texts attributed to Tasmanian Attorney-General Elise Archer amid bullying probe

Explosive text messages appear to show Tasmanian Attorney-General Elise Archer attacking her ‘gutless’ Premier, his ‘glass jaw’ predecessor, and a ­female colleague’s love life.

Attorney-General Elise Archer in parliament. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Explosive text messages appear to show Tasmanian Attorney-General Elise Archer attacking her “gutless” Premier Jeremy Rockliff, his “glass jaw” predecessor Peter Gutwein, and a ­female colleague’s love life.

The leaked texts come as the most senior woman in the Tasmanian cabinet – and the highest-ranking female Liberal office-holder in the country – faces an independent inquiry into allegations of “bullying and belittling” behaviour.

After The Australian broke the inquiry story online on Thursday afternoon, Mr Rockliff confirmed the probe but would not comment on the detail, nor explain if Ms Archer would be standing aside pending the outcome.

“A matter has been raised with me through a third party – I have set in train a process where that matter will be independently reviewed,” he told The Australian.

“In the interests of procedural fairness, it is inappropriate to provide any further comment.”

Ms Archer told The Australian she had not yet been provided with details of the allegations but was “taking them extremely seriously”. “Therefore, I welcome an independent investigation,” she said.

“I always strive to provide my team with a healthy and happy workplace.

“I deeply value the exceptional work of my team, many of whom come to me for short periods of time from departments and who have diligently performed the challenging work required of ministerial staff.”

Ms Archer declined to comment on the text messages but did not deny sending them.

The Australian has confirmed at least two current or former staff members of Ms Archer’s have raised allegations of bullying and inappropriate behaviour with Anti-Discrimination Commissioner Sarah Bolt.

It is understood Ms Bolt, who last year handed down a damning report revealing a “toxic” and “unsafe” culture in ministerial and MP offices, has in recent weeks raised the complaints with Mr Rockliff.

One staff member is on sick leave allegedly due to Ms Archer’s conduct, while a former staff member told Ms Bolt’s inquiry Ms Archer had engaged in “bullying”, “erratic”, “damaging” conduct, mostly by belittling staff and ministerial colleagues.

WhatsApp messages obtained by The Australian and appearing to have been sent from Ms Archer to staff members describe “JR”, understood to be Jeremy Rockliff, as “too gutless to be leader”.

Another describes Mr Rockliff’s immediate predecessor, Peter Gutwein, as having a “glass jaw” and “insecurities” and being prone to “knee jerk reactions like a child”.

One refers to then-colleague Sarah Courtney’s relationship with her former departmental chief John Whittington: “Sarah is getting married to Whittington FFS. Kick for his ex wife. Not even divorced. Just determined to keep *ucking up…”.

Another refers to a female ­adviser for a ministerial colleague as a “useless … air head”.

Staff and former staff have complained such conduct made them feel deeply uncomfortable and created a “highly negative and corrosive” workplace.

They allege staff and public servants have been subjected to “highly concerning behaviours”.

“She fails to understand the boundaries behind robust behaviour and personal criticism which impacts a person’s mental health,” one former staff member wrote in a submission to Ms Bolt’s inquiry.

One complainant alleges Ms Archer’s conduct was an “open ­secret” within government and parliament, but that no action had been taken despite direct complaints to the offices of Mr Rockliff and his two predecessors, Mr Gutwein and Will Hodgman, dating back years.

This had resulted in a high turnover of staff in Ms Archer’s ­office, most of whom left for other positions without stating a reason, one complainant told Ms Bolt’s ­review.

One former staff member was shifted to another minister’s office after raising concerns.

The Australian does not assert any wrongdoing by Ms Archer; merely that allegations have been made and that an independent investigation has been set in train.

Ms Archer, 52, has ministerial responsibility for workplace health and safety, including anti-bullying protections.

Sources said Ms Archer, a former Speaker who has been Attorney-General since 2018, had engaged a prominent SC to assist her in responding to the allegations. Ms Bolt did not respond to requests for comment.

One complainant has told Ms Bolt bullying and inappropriate conduct had continued in Ms Archer’s office even after her report, following which Mr Rockliff, Ms Archer and other key parliamentary and government figures penned a statement vowing to stamp out such conduct.