On a Thursday in early July 2019, a rookie Liberal MP rose to her feet in the House of Representatives to give her first speech. With Scott Morrison watching on, Bridget Archer introduced herself to a national audience. She spoke about her love for northern Tasmania, her ambition to be a “genuine and authentic” representative for her constituents. She shared her pride in being the first Liberal woman to hold the seat of Bass. After those pleasantries, Archer arrived at the most challenging section of her opening sortie.
“Those who know me will attest that I am far more interested in hearing other people’s stories than in telling my own,” the new MP told the House of Representatives. “I think, in large part, it is because I find my own childhood story painful and difficult to tell – and never more so than today in this place.” Archer said she had experienced “childhood trauma.” Having survived it, helping others survive it would be a “priority” during her time in federal politics.
