Fate of Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff is in hands of axed Attorney-General Elise Archer

Jeremy Rockliff has conceded he will have to call an early election ... unless he is saved by the woman he just ousted from cabinet.

Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff, left, and Elise Archer

Australia’s last Liberal government is holding its breath, with Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff conceding he will have to call an early election unless saved by the woman he just ousted from cabinet.

Mr Rockliff on Monday reshuffled his ministry but conceded it may be of fleeting longevity, with his government’s future “in the hands” of dumped attorney-general Elise Archer, whom he forced to quit on Friday.

“Really, it’s in her hands,” Mr Rockliff said on Monday. “I don’t want an election – hopefully she either comes back to parliament and guarantees confidence and supply, or, as she’s said publicly, resigns and another Liberal member can get elected (on a recount).”

Ms Archer on Friday quit her post and the Liberal Party, vowing to leave parliament, after The Australian revealed she was facing a probe into allegations of workplace bullying and ­appeared to have written a string of ­offensive WhatsApp mes­sages.

However, the 52-year-old told The Australian on Sunday she was reconsidering her vow to quit parliament and might remain as an independent and back a no-confidence motion.

Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff announces the resignation of attorney-general Elise Archer, who could now bring the government down. Picture: Rob Burnett

On Monday, the strong-willed former key vote-puller for the Liberals said she was not rushing to make up her mind.

“I will now take some time to consider my options,” Ms Archer said. “While I understand the significant interest, during this time I will not be providing any further commentary or interviews while I make a decision.

“The question is now for the Premier as to what he will do.”

Mr Rockliff will face fresh questions about how long he has known of the bullying allegations by former staff against Ms Archer. Right to information documents obtained by The Australian on Monday suggest the Premier’s office has known of issues related to bullying or workplace culture in Ms Archer’s office since at least December 2022.

The Labor opposition sought but was denied access to one document on the basis it contained personal and confidential information about a third party.

Labor leader Rebecca White flagged a no-confidence motion when parliament resumes on October 17, saying Tasmania “deserved better”.

“The people of Tasmania are the ones suffering from the disintegration of the Rockliff minority government – they’ve completely lost the ability to govern,” Ms White said.

Ousted attorney-general Elise Archer. Picture: Chris Kidd

Mr Rockliff said he did not want to call a snap election and urged Ms Archer to provide confidence and supply – or quit parliament, allowing the election of another Liberal on a recount.

“Tasmanians do not want an early election, they want us as a team to get on with the job,” the Premier said.

He said Ms Archer’s support for a no-confidence motion in his government would be a slight on the public and it was time for her to reveal her hand.

“Ms Archer has a responsibility to make it clear to the general public whether she’s coming back to parliament in a confidence-supply form, or whether she resigns,” he said, denying the WhatsApp leaks came from his staff.

Mr Rockliff said he had made a “difficult decision” in instructing his party colleague of 13 years to resign, knowing it could lose him the premiership.

“It was the right call and I was aware of its consequences – but the culture needs to change,” he said, arguing the new ministry’s Commission of Inquiry response would continue unabated.

“We’ve got a good team, and every single member of our team is committed to that (implementing the recommendations).”

Ms White said Mr Rockliff’s reliance on Ms Archer to save him from a no-confidence motion was illustrative of a government with no agenda or plan past the next 24 hours.

Tasmanian Labor leader Rebecca White. Picture: Chris Kidd

“(Mr Rockliff) put the onus on Elise Archer to determine if we go to an early election and couldn’t state if parliament would be prorogued – this shows he doesn’t have a plan for the next day, let alone for Tasmania’s future,” she said. “It seems more that Mr Rockliff won’t survive this latest debacle and his party room will either replace him with the ultraconservative, hard-right Michael Ferguson as leader or force him to an early election.”

A senior Liberal insidercautioned against Ms Archer returning to support a no-confidence motion, arguing her “goodwill and sympathy would evaporate”.

“People elected her as a Liberal MP and expect her to put Tasmania and the Liberal government ahead of her hurt feelings,” the insider said.

On Monday, Mr Rockliff announced that Health Minister Guy Barnett would take on the roles of Attorney-General and Justice Minister, on top of his existing portfolios.

Another party insider – speaking on condition of anonymity given they were not authorised to speak publicly – called Mr Barnett “a good operator … a competent pair of hands”. However, that insider conceded the government was “tearing itself apart” and called on a “need for capable, level-headed individuals”.

Mr Barnett’s elevation was one of six cabinet reshuffles announced on Monday, with Nick Dugian taking on the energy and renewables, parks, heritage and small business portfolios.

Newly announced Attorney-General Guy Barnett. Picture: Chris Kidd

The Premier also announced Madeleine Ogilvie would become the new Minister for Corrections, Workplace Safety and Consumer affairs and Arts, while retaining her existing science, advanced manufacturing and defence industries portfolios.

Jo Palmer returned to the ministry as Women and Family Violence Prevention Minister, on top of her portfolios in primary industries and water, community services and disability services.

Felix Ellis was announced as new leader of the lower house while Jane Howlett was elevated to Legislative Council deputy leader and Dean Young to Small Business and Industry Parliamentary Secretary.

The Rockliff administration has been rocked since The Australian revealed last week the inquiry into allegations of bullying by Ms Archer, and leaked texts.

Ms Archer, who had been the nation’s most senior female Liberal office-holder, has denied bullying anyone, but not denied sending the WhatsApp messages, which included labelling Mr Rockliff “too gutless to be leader”.

On Sunday, she said a new leaked message saying she was “sick of victim-survivors” of child sex abuse had been “taken out of context”. Ms Archer said the bullying allegations, made to the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner by at least two current or former staff, were “false” and had “devastated” her staff.