Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff faces complaint to DPP over alleged ‘intimidation’

Tasmania’s Jeremy Rockliff is under pressure to step aside if the state’s director of public prosecutions decides to investigate a formal complaint by his ex-attorney-general.

Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff and former attorney-general Elise Archer before her resignation. Picture: Chris Kidd

Australia’s last Liberal Premier, Tasmania’s Jeremy Rockliff, is under pressure to step aside if the state’s director of public prosecutions decides to investigate a formal complaint by his ex-attorney-general.

Former attorney Elise Archer, who quit earlier in October in the wake of bullying allegations and leaked text messages, has written to the DPP accusing Mr Rockliff of potential criminal conduct.

The jilted first law officer alleges, in a letter of complaint to DPP Daryl Coates SC, that Mr Rockliff had “intimidated” her with “threats”, precipitating her resignation from Parliament.

“I request that you accept this complaint for investigation,” Ms Archer on Tuesday wrote to Mr Coates. “There can be no more serious matter than an investigation into the potential criminal conduct of an elected official, but in the circumstances … I believe it is completely warranted.”

Having already quit cabinet and the Liberal Party, Ms Archer resigned as an MP on October 4, after Mr Rockliff warned he would call an early election within days if she didn’t guarantee confidence.

Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff. Picture: Linda Higginson

Ms Archer’s complaint alleges this may be a breach of section 70 of the state’s criminal code, which makes it an offence to “directly or indirectly, by fraud, or by threats or intimidation of any kind” influence an MP “in the exercise of his duty … or induces him to absent himself from the House”.

She told Mr Coates Mr Rockliff’s demand to her – made verbally and in writing – “can only be taken as an intended ultimatum or threat and was certainly intimidating, resulting in my resignation from parliament”.

“At that point in time, I was still considering my future regarding whether I stayed as an independent member of parliament,” she wrote.

She believed the Premier’s was sent “with the intention to threaten and intimidate me into resigning”.

However, Mr Rockliff has insisted there was no intention to intimidate Ms Archer; simply to urge her to make up her mind sooner rather than later, in the interests of the state.

The Labor opposition said if Mr Coates decided the complaint should be investigated Mr Rockliff should step aside pending the outcome.

“With Ms Archer’s complaints relating to threatening and intimidating behaviour, the Premier could be charged with the very serious offence of unlawfully influencing a member of parliament,” said deputy Labor leader Anita Dow.

“The Premier insisted Ms Archer stand aside when he decided her conduct was inappropriate. It would be appropriate for him to apply the same standard to his own situation.”

Mr Rockliff told parliament he was unaware of the complaint and that he had nothing wrong.

“I very respectfully sent correspondence to Ms Archer seeking clarification on Ms Archer’s intent – whether she intended to resign her seat, as she publicly indicated she would, or whether she intended to provide supply and confidence to our government,” Mr Rockliff said. “And it’s absolutely my right to seek such clarification in such political circumstances.”

Mr Coates has not responded to a request for comment. Ms Archer told the DPP Mr Rockliff’s decision to continue a code of conduct investigation even after she resigned was evidence of ongoing “intimidation”.