Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
AAP
AAP
Politics
Ethan James

Ex-attorney-general lodges complaint against premier

Former MP Elise Archer has raised a complaint against Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff. (Rob Blakers, Ethan James/AAP PHOTOS)

Tasmania's former attorney-general wants Premier Jeremy Rockliff investigated for potential criminal behaviour over comments he made in the lead up to her resignation. 

Elise Archer quit parliament on October 4 after Mr Rockliff said he would call a snap election if she didn't resign or agree to provide confidence and supply as an independent.

Mr Rockliff had sacked Ms Archer from cabinet five days earlier over workplace bullying allegations and for sending messages he deemed inappropriate.

She initially quit when dumped from cabinet but then spent days reconsidering her decision after receiving support from the community.

Ms Archer on Tuesday confirmed to several media outlets she had lodged a formal complaint with the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DDP).

She has asked the DPP to investigate whether Mr Rockliff breached section 70 of the Criminal Code Act. 

The act says someone is guilty of a crime if they directly or indirectly influence an MP in their duty, or induce them to be absent from parliament, by threats or intimidation of any kind. 

The DPP has been contacted for comment. 

Mr Rockliff told state parliament he was not aware of a complaint being made to the DPP. 

Mr Rockliff defended his comments preceding Ms Archer's resignation, in which he gave her a deadline, saying he was seeking clarification of her intentions. 

"It was absolutely my right to seek such clarification in such political circumstances," he told state parliament. 

"I did not ask Ms Archer to act in any way.

"It was done in a very respectful way and what Ms Archer does is up to Ms Archer."

Tasmania's Liberal government has been in minority since May when two MPs quit the party to sit on the cross bench. 

Ms Archer, who has denied the bullying allegations, launched a scathing departing attack on Mr Rockliff's leadership, claiming she had not been afforded due process.

In leaked messages, Ms Archer described Mr Rockliff as being too weak to be leader. 

In another message, she said she was "sick" of abuse victim-survivors, something she said had been taken out of context. 

Rebecca White
Tasmanian Labor Leader Rebecca White says the premier should stand down if investigated.

Labor opposition leader Rebecca White said Mr Rockliff should stand down if he is investigated by the DPP.

She said the premier "could be charged with the very serious offence of unlawfully influencing a member of parliament".

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.