Bridget Archer is declared winner of Bass, becoming the Liberals’ first female MP to hold the seat

Bridget Archer is set to be formally declared the new MP for Bass, a week after the new MP attended her first party room meeting.

Newly elected politician Bridget Archer in the joint party room meeting at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: KYM SMITH

LIBERAL Bridget Archer will be formally declared new Member for Bass this week, after a two-and-a-half week count.

Ms Archer, who leaves her role as mayor of George Town to become the Liberals’ first female member for Bass, finished just 562 votes ahead of ousted Labor MP Ross Hart after preferences.

The result leaves Bass on a knife edge margin of 0.4 per cent, having previously been held by Labor on a notional 5.4 per cent margin.

The declaration of Ms Archer’s victory, to be formally made on Thursday morning in Launceston, comes after she attended her first Coalition party room meeting in Canberra.

She said she was “extremely humbled” to be elected and grateful for the support she received during and after the campaign.

“It’s my determination to be a strong voice in Canberra for our community,” Ms Archer said.

“As a member of the Morrison Liberal Government I look forwarding to delivering the solid commitments I worked to secure during the election and being a passionate representative for our great region.”

The mother-of-five joins newly elected Member for Braddon Gavin Pearce in the Liberal Lower House team, having won back two of the three seats the Coalition lost in 2016.

Ms Archer also paid tribute to her predecessor, Mr Hart.

“Whilst we have our political differences, I know he is, and will continue to be, a passionate and caring member of our community,” she said.

“I wish Ross and his family the very best in whatever the future holds for them.”

Mr Hart remains open to recontesting Bass for Labor at the next election in 2022, which new Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese said he would “certainly welcome” during a visit to Launceston on Monday.