Bass MP Bridget Archer admits she ‘questioned’ whether she belonged in Liberal Party

A Tasmanian Liberal backbencher has revealed she had doubt over whether she was in the right government party during an explosive admission on live TV. WHAT SHE SAID >>

Maverick Bass Liberal MP Bridget Archer says she is committed to remaining in the party, despite conceding that she had previously “questioned whether I’m in the right place”.

Ms Archer sensationally crossed the floor last year to back debate on a crossbench bill seeking to establish a federal anti-corruption commission.

She was also one of five Liberal MPs to break ranks and support Labor and crossbenchers in a bid to amend the Sex Discrimination Act during debate over the contentious Religious Discrimination Bill earlier this month.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA NewsWire Photos FEBRUARY, 10 2022: Bridget Archer during Question Time in the House of Representatives in Parliament House Canberra. Picture: NCA Newswire/Gary Ramage

Appearing on ABC’s Q&A program on Thursday night, Ms Archer was asked a question by one of her constituents, Launceston resident Luke Moore, who wanted to know why she didn’t leave the Liberal Party and “take your high values to the crossbench”.

“I joined the Liberal Party because the values of the Liberal Party resonate with me,” the Bass MP responded. “And they still do and I will continue to stand up and to fight for those.”

“And what I would say is that, ultimately, I have always had the view that my boss is the people of Bass.

“And I will stand up and fight for them every single day, no matter what party I’m in. And I’m not a quitter so I won’t be walking away – I’m going to stay in there and I’m going to fight.”

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA NewsWire Photos FEBRUARY, 09 2022: Bridget Archer at the National Press Club in Canberra to listen to Brittany Higgins and Grace Tame speak. Picture: NCA Newswire/Gary Ramage

Host David Speers then said: “Have you ever considered, though, leaving the Liberal Party, sitting as a crossbencher?”

“There (have) been times where I have questioned whether I’m in the right place,” Ms Archer replied. “Ultimately, I believe that I am and I am accountable, at the end of the day, to the people of Bass. And I’m comfortable with that.”

Ms Archer’s comments come after Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese said on Tuesday that she should leave the party if she is “fair dinkum”.

The former George Town mayor holds her notoriously swinging seat by a wafer-thin margin of 0.4 per cent. She faces a fierce contest at the looming federal election from Ross Hart, the Labor member she unseated in 2019.

Albo’s call for rebel MP to ‘leave’ party

Anthony Albanese says Bridget Archer should defect from the coalition, a day after the Prime Minister publicly backed her.

Ms Archer holds the northern Tasmanian swing seat of Bass with just a 0.4 per cent margin, and both Mr Albanese and Scott Morrison have visited the electorate this week in a bid to win votes.

Ms Archer played a key role in the downfall of the government’s religious discrimination laws, after she and four other MPs crossed the floor to vote with Labor to protect all LGBTIQ+ children in religious schools.

Mr Albanese, standing beside Labor’s candidate – and former Bass MP – Ross Hart on Tuesday, called Ms Archer’s intentions into question, saying she was not delivering on what she vocally supports.

Liberal MP Bridget Archer crossed the floor to demand better protections for transgender students as part of the government’s proposed religious discrimination bill, which was ultimately scrapped. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

“If Bridget Archer is fair dinkum, she’ll leave the Liberal Party,” Mr Albanese said.

“Bridget Archer’s policy on climate change is determined by Barnaby Joyce. Bridget Archer’s policy on the anti-corruption commission is determined by all those ministers who are petrified there will be (one).

“Bridget Archer is part of a government that is not delivering for the people of Bass, and not even delivering on what she says she supports.”

Mr Albanese’s comments came a week after Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie said she had asked Ms Archer if she would defect and join the Jacqui Lambie Network.

Senator Lambie said Ms Archer had not taken her up on the offer.

“I’ve been very open and honest about her. I left it open to her well over 12 months ago and said, you know, if you want a bit more room to move, we certainty would be more than happy to take you on,” Senator Lambie said last week.

“But she obviously hasn’t taken up my offer. But I do wish her the very best at the next election.”

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has thrown his support behind Bass MP Bridget Archer, despite her crossing the floor earlier this month. Picture: AAP Image/Sarah Rhodes

Late last year, Ms Archer crossed the floor to support independent MP Helen Haines’ Bill for a national integrity commission. Earlier this month, she spoke again, this time on indulgence about the need for working multi-partisanly to establish a federal ICAC.

Despite this, Mr Morrison threw his support behind Ms Archer again on Monday, saying he “definitely still backed” her.

“There is a difference between the Liberal and Labor Party … but in our party, we don’t throw people out, because we don’t always agree on everything,” Mr Morrison said.

“That’s the nature of the Liberal Party; it’s called Liberal for a reason.”

The seat of Bass has not had an MP re-elected in more than 20 years, with the seat considered a must-win for both parties ahead of the May election.

Mr Albanese said on Tuesday the people of Bass wanted a local member who had confidence in their party.

“(In Bass) there’s a local member who herself has said this government is no good, through her own actions,” Mr Albanese said.

“We need to get rid of the government. To get rid of the government, you need to change the representation for the people of Bass.

“They deserve better.”

Why ScoMo backs outspoken Tassie MP

Scott Morrison says he’s standing by Bridget Archer despite the role she played in the downfall of his signature religious discrimination laws.

The Prime Minister had hoped to overhaul anti-discrimination legislation – a key election promise in 2019 – to offer protections for people of religious faith.

But concerns over a contentious statement of belief clause and its impact on gay, lesbian and transgender students brought the government’s plans come undone.

The Tasmanian MP and four of her backbench colleagues ultimately sank Mr Morrison’s legislation in the House, crossing the floor to vote with Labor to protect LGBT kids in religious schools.

Bridget Archer has been vocal in her opposition of the government in recent months. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gary Ramage

The move, paired with the confirmation senate colleague Andrew Bragg would also cross the floor, led to the Bill’s demise.

But just two weeks later on the campaign trail in Launceston, Mr Morrison claimed there was no ill feelings between him and his Tasmanian colleague.

“So you definitely still back Bridget even though she has been speaking out against some things lately,” a reporter asked.

“Of course. There is a difference between the Liberal and Labor Party … but in our party, we don’t throw people out because we don’t always agree on everything,” Mr Morrison said.

“That’s the nature of the Liberal Party, it’s called Liberal for a reason.”

Mr Morrison say he still backs the MP despite her speaking out. Picture: AAP Image/Sarah Rhodes

Ms Archer holds the electorate of Bass on a wafer-thin margin of 0.4 per cent. It has been two decades since an MP in the seat has been re-elected.

If Mr Morrison is to be elected at the expected May poll, it is critical he holds onto Bass and neighbouring Braddon.

The Tasmanian MP has been critical of the government’s go-slow on the establishment of a federal anti-corruption commission.

A decision to cross the floor to vote with Labor to bring on debate for independent MP Helen Haines’ model led to Ms Archer being hauled into Mr Morrison’s office for a please explain.

But the incident has not quelled the Tasmanian MP’s desire to speak out. Just last week she again broke ranks to call for Mr Morrison to deliver the promised anti-corruption watchdog.

“If we can’t come together and collaborate, this will never be done,” Ms Archer said on the floor of parliament.

“We should be promoting positive integrity for everyone that comes to this place.”

Originally published as Bass MP Bridget Archer admits she ‘questioned’ whether she belonged in Liberal Party