Elise Archer responds DPP decision: ‘Premier, cease this vindictive bullying investigation’

Following a DPP call to not pursue her complaint, Elise Archer has called on Jeremy Rockliff to cease an “unnecessary and vindictive” bullying investigation, which she will be “unable” to participate in.

Minister Elise Archer. Question time in the Tasmanian parliament. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Following the decision of Director of Public Prosecutions Daryl Coates to not pursue her complaint, ex-minister Elise Archer has called on the Premier to cease an “unnecessary and vindictive” bullying investigation, which she will be “unable” to participate in.

On Wednesday afternoon, Mr Coates announced that after fully considering the matter, he considered Jeremy Rockliff committed no offence in forcing Ms Archer to resign.

In a statement released on Wednesday evening, Ms Archer said she was “obviously disappointed” by Mr Coates decision but she would “respect his opinion”.

“This was always a matter of public interest and therefore, it was appropriate for the complaint to be known publicly,” she said.

Ms Archer previously wrote to the DPP demanding he look into whether Mr Rockliff had committed a criminal offence by issuing an ultimatum in relation to her resignation earlier this month.

Former Attorney General Elise Archer and Premier Jeremy Rockliff. Picture: Chris Kidd

The former attorney-general was told to resign in the wake of Ms Archer allegedly sending a message saying she was “sick of victim-survivors,” a comment she said was taken out of context. Ms Archer was also facing bullying allegations.

“The fact that I reconsidered resigning over a few days did not, in my view, diminish the ultimatum’s impact on my final decision to resign from Parliament. I know I did so as a direct result of the Premier’s intimidation and threat to call an election,” she said.

“Given the profound impact this has had on my health and wellbeing and especially the continuing, unnecessary investigation the Premier only called on the day I resigned from Cabinet, I will not be providing a public commentary other than this statement.

“I believe the Premier has even accepted a formal complaint, details of which are unknown, after I resigned on October 4 from Parliament. This is the sort of sustained attack on my wellbeing I feared would happen.

“I plead with the Premier, who is ironically the Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, to cease this unnecessary and vindictive investigation given I have already paid the ultimate price and resigned.

“As there can be no action taken, given I am not a Member of Cabinet, I cannot see the point of an expensive investigation by a former Federal Court Judge, and King’s Counsel.

“I can confirm that I am unable, for medical reasons, to participate in the investigation.”

A spokeswoman for Mr Rockliff said the Premier did not wish to make further comment save for his initial, brief statement welcoming Mr Coates’ decision.

No complaint to be laid against Rocky: DPP

Earlier, 4.45pm: Tasmania’s Director of Public Prosecutions will not act on a complaint made by former Attorney-General Elise Archer in relation to the Premier’s handling of her resignation.

In a statement issued on Wednesday afternoon, Daryl Coates SC confirmed he had received a complaint from the former Attorney-General, Elise Archer, alleging the Premier breached section 70(2) of the Criminal Code Act 1924.

“As with any complaint, the matter was fully considered by my Office,” Mr Coates’ statement said.

“Upon considering the material supplied by Ms Archer, I am of the view that it does not disclose an offence by the Premier. I therefore will not be laying a complaint nor will I recommend for Tasmania Police to investigate the matter.”

Ms Archer earlier wrote to the DPP demanding he look into whether Premier Jeremy Rockliff had committed a criminal offence with an ultimatum made in relation to her resignation earlier this month.

Mr Rockliff welcomed the notification from the DPP.

“I will continue to always put Tasmania’s interests first,” he said.

Barnett accused of mistreating ministerial driver

Tasmania’s new Attorney-General has been accused of mistreating a ministerial driver, however the Premier says he’s received no such complaint.

Labor has continued to pursue Premier Jeremy Rockliff over the behaviour of ministers in the wake of the resignation of former Attorney-General Elise Archer.

In state parliament Deputy Opposition leader Anita Dow asked Mr Rockliff if he had received any complaints in relation to Ms Archer’s replacement in the Attorney-General’s role, Guy Barnett.

“Can you confirm your new Attorney-General’s behaviour and treatment of ministerial drivers has at times been so bad, arrangements have to be put in place Guy Barnett isn’t being driven by certain people?” Ms Dow said.

Labor did not detail the allegations in parliament or reveal the source of the allegations

Mr Rockliff said he was not aware of the circumstances raised by Ms Dow or any formal complaint.

“If there is a formal complaint made, I will investigate it,” he said.

Tasmanian Parliament, Deputy Premier Michael Ferguson. Picture: Chris Kidd

Labor also asked Mr Barnett to “own up” to last year’s groaning incident, where government members were said to have been heard to groan in response to Labor’s questions on behalf of a victim-survivor of child sexual abuse.

Mr Barnett said he was not the source of the infamous groan, for which Ms Archer took the blame in state parliament.

Since quitting politics earlier this month amid leaked disparaging WhatsApp messages and allegations she’d bullied staff, Ms Archer has been forthright in criticising the government.

Ms Archer says she has not been provided any factual particulars of claims against her and has not been afforded due process.

She has also written to the Director of Public Prosecutions asking him to investigate whether Mr Rockliff had committed a criminal offence when he delivered her an ultimatum about resigning from parliament.

Mr Rockliff has defended his actions in requesting Ms Archer’s resignation from Cabinet, saying he did so “respectfully”.

On Wednesday Opposition leader Rebecca White asked Mr Rockliff if he was aware of any investigation commenced by the DPP and if his office had and conversations with the DPP about the matter.

Mr Rockliff said he was not, and accused Labor of engaging in “gutter politics”

“I’m not going to provide a running commentary on Ms Archer’s actions,” Mr Rockliff said.

“I stand by my decisions that I made and the consequences of them. My decisions over the last couple of weeks, I would not have changed one bit. Because I stand up for what is right.”