Premier Jeremy Rockliff denies breaching criminal code with ultimatum to former Attorney-General Elise Archer

Premier Jeremy Rockliff has denied breaching the state’s criminal code’s prohibition on threatening MPs by demanding former Attorney-General Elise Archer quit parliament.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff and Deputy Premier Michael Ferguson announce the resignation of Attorney General Elise Archer from parliament. Picture: Rob Burnett

Premier Jeremy Rockliff has denied breaching the state criminal code’s prohibition on threatening MPs by issuing an ultimatum to former Attorney-General Elise Archer to quit parliament.

Mr Rockliff wrote to Ms Archer on Wednesday saying if she didn’t quit or pledge to support the government in parliament by Monday, he would call an election.

Ms Archer annouced her resignation from parliament soon afterwards.

Tasmanian politics: Elise Archer to officially resign from parliament

Independent and Labor MPs have question whether Mr Rockliff might have breached section 70 of the Criminal Code Act, which relates to unlawfully influencing a member of parliament “directly or indirectly, by fraud, or by threats or intimidation of any kind”.

Mr Rockliff said on Friday he had not broken any laws.

“What I was doing was merely seeking, respectfully, clarification of Archer’s intent,” he said.

“It’s important to for Tasmanians to have security and certainty when it comes to their parliament.

“We have many challenges, of course, we’re working through, particularly with the Commission of Inquiry, and indeed, recognising that Tasmania has done remarkably well when it comes to comparison to other states coming out of the pandemic.

“So what Tasmanians needed was clarity, certainty, and where I was doing respectfully through the correspondence was seeking Ms Archer’s intent.

Mr Rockliff was asked why he didn’t simply call Ms Archer.

“Because I like to put things in writing, respectfully, and that’s what I did and sought Ms Archer’s intent on her future.”

And he defended his handling of the matter.

“Leaders are there had to make decisions. We’ve made decisions. Some of those decisions, tough calls, but they are ones that have to be made.”

Former Premier Peter Gutwein paid tribute to Ms Archer and reflected on the toll public office can take.

“One thing that I did learn when I was Premier of the state and involved in public life, is that the thing things that people say and the way that things are reported does have an impact on people. And I would just make the point that Elise Archer, for a long period of time, has worked very hard – in fact, was one of the hardest-working politicians that I knew in my time in public life.

“She’s obviously had a significant change in her life circumstances and I would just say that I think we need to be mindful of that.”

And former Premier Will Hodgman backed Mr Rockliff’s leadership.

“I have every faith and confidence in my former deputy of many years Jeremy Rockliff and his team.”

Originally published as Premier Jeremy Rockliff denies breaching criminal code with ultimatum to former Attorney-General Elise Archer