Bridget Archer

Archer was born in Hobart, Tasmania,{{cite news|url=https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Parliamentarian?MPID=282237|title=Mrs Bridget Archer MP|publisher=Parliament of Australia|access-date=2 December 2020|archive-date=27 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127100631/https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Parliamentarian?MPID=282237|url-status=live}} to a teenage mother. As a six-week-old baby, she was adopted by bank workers Barry and Marian Whelan, who already had a son and daughter.{{cite news |last1=Fyfe |first1=Melissa |title=We've got to have a revolution': This Liberal MP is spoiling for a fight. Within her own party |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/we-ve-got-to-have-a-revolution-this-liberal-mp-is-spoiling-for-a-fight-within-her-own-party-20230405-p5cygb.html?collection=p5es6d&gb=1 |url-access=subscription |access-date=2023-12-27 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=2023-05-27 |archive-date=28 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231228085733/https://www.smh.com.au/national/we-ve-got-to-have-a-revolution-this-liberal-mp-is-spoiling-for-a-fight-within-her-own-party-20230405-p5cygb.html?collection=p5es6d&gb=1 |url-status=live }} The Whelans separated when Archer was eight and she remained with her adoptive father. However, he died not long after, and Archer moved to Ravenswood, a suburb of Launceston, to live with her mother, who had remarried. Archer revealed that she was subjected to sexual abuse by her stepfather, whom she has described as "an aggressive, emotionally abusive and controlling alcoholic".

She attended Ravenswood Primary School but was then sent to board at Launceston Church Grammar School, only ten minutes from her home, on the insistence of her stepfather.{{cite news |last1=Fyfe |first1=Melissa |title=Why one small detail in my story about a murdered woman still haunts me |url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/why-one-small-detail-in-my-story-about-a-murdered-woman-still-haunts-me-20231107-p5ei55.html |access-date=2023-12-27 |work=The Age |date=2023-12-26 |archive-date=14 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240114170529/https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/why-one-small-detail-in-my-story-about-a-murdered-woman-still-haunts-me-20231107-p5ei55.html |url-status=live }} The turmoil in her family life contributed to "misbehaviour and recklessness". She was expelled from Launceston Grammar, and failed Year 12. Despite that, she was admitted to the University of Tasmania, although she soon dropped out.{{cite news |url=https://www.examiner.com.au/story/6206832/who-is-bridget-archer-the-new-federal-member-for-bass/ |title=Who is Bridget Archer, the new federal member for Bass? |first=Rob |last=Inglis |newspaper=The Examiner |date=8 June 2019 |access-date=2 December 2020 |archive-date=2 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202072832/https://www.examiner.com.au/story/6206832/who-is-bridget-archer-the-new-federal-member-for-bass/ |url-status=live }} She worked at the Tasmanian Herbarium from 1995 to 1999, as a botanical curator, and later worked in "a variety of mostly casual administrative and hospitality jobs",{{cite Hansard|url=https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Hansard/Hansard_Display?bid=chamber/hansardr/ce759aa1-47bf-467d-a58b-3bf640990032/&sid=0009|title=Governor-General's Speech|speaker=Archer, Bridget MP|house=House of Representatives|date=4 July 2019|access-date=2 December 2020|jurisdiction=Commonwealth of Australia|archive-date=5 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190705155339/https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Hansard/Hansard_Display?bid=chamber/hansardr/ce759aa1-47bf-467d-a58b-3bf640990032/&sid=0009|url-status=live}} including at the 2000 Summer Olympics, before returning to university. She completed a Bachelor of Arts in English and political science, followed by a graduate certificate in international politics.

Archer was elected to the George Town Council in 2009. She served as deputy mayor from 2011 to 2014 and then as mayor until resigning in 2019 to enter federal politics.

Archer is a member of the moderate faction of the Liberal Party.{{cite web |last1=Massola |first1=James |title=Who's who in the Liberals' left, right and centre factions? |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/who-s-who-in-the-liberals-left-right-and-centre-factions-20210303-p577gv.html |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=20 March 2021 |publisher=Fairfax Media |access-date=1 February 2022 |archive-date=22 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210322020317/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/who-s-who-in-the-liberals-left-right-and-centre-factions-20210303-p577gv.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Massola |first1=James |title=How Morrison's shattering defeat gave Dutton a seismic shift in factional power |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/how-morrison-s-shattering-defeat-gave-dutton-a-seismic-shift-in-factional-power-20230330-p5cwoq.html |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=8 April 2023 |access-date=4 December 2023 |archive-date=10 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410122913/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/how-morrison-s-shattering-defeat-gave-dutton-a-seismic-shift-in-factional-power-20230330-p5cwoq.html |url-status=live }}

In November 2018, Archer announced that she would run for Liberal preselection in Bass.{{cite news|url=https://www.examiner.com.au/story/5763173/bridget-archer-intends-to-run-for-preselection-for-bass/|title=George Town Mayor intends to run as Liberal candidate for Bass|first=Harry|last=Murtough|newspaper=The Examiner|date=17 November 2018|access-date=2 December 2020|archive-date=17 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181117114720/https://www.examiner.com.au/story/5763173/bridget-archer-intends-to-run-for-preselection-for-bass/|url-status=live}} She was elected to parliament at the 2019 federal election, which took place on her 44th birthday. She defeated the incumbent Australian Labor Party (ALP) candidate Ross Hart.

In December 2020, Archer publicly criticised the Morrison government's trial of a cashless debit card to deliver welfare payments, stating that she would oppose its use within her own electorate and describing it as a "punitive measure enacted on the presumption that all welfare recipients within the trial areas are incapable of managing their finances and require the government's assistance".{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/dec/02/liberal-backbencher-lambasts-coalitions-punitive-cashless-debit-card-welfare-program|title=Liberal backbencher lambasts Coalition's 'punitive' cashless debit card welfare program|work=Guardian Australia|date=2 December 2020|access-date=2 December 2020|first=Luke|last=Henriques-Gomes|archive-date=4 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240604061117/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/dec/02/liberal-backbencher-lambasts-coalitions-punitive-cashless-debit-card-welfare-program|url-status=live}} The House of Representatives passed legislation to make the card permanent by one vote, with Archer abstaining from voting despite her earlier criticism.{{cite news|url=https://www.examiner.com.au/story/7044914/cashless-welfare-passes-by-one-vote-after-archer-abstains/|title=Cashless welfare card expansion passes by one vote after Bass MHR Bridget Archer abstains|work=The Examiner|date=7 December 2020|access-date=7 December 2020|first=Adam|last=Holmes|archive-date=7 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207064235/https://www.examiner.com.au/story/7044914/cashless-welfare-passes-by-one-vote-after-archer-abstains/|url-status=live}}

Archer has crossed the floor a number of times, including:

• 25 November 2021, to support a motion by Helen Haines that called for a debate on a national anti-corruption commission.{{cite web | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-25/federal-iac-bill-vote-parliament-helen-haines/100649316 | title=Government nearly loses vote on federal corruption commission motion after MP crosses floor | date=25 November 2021 | first1=Georgia | last1=Hitch | first2=Matthew | last2=Doran | publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation | access-date=25 November 2021 | archive-date=25 November 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211125031544/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-25/federal-iac-bill-vote-parliament-helen-haines/100649316 | url-status=live }}
• 10 February 2022, with four other Liberal MPs, to include protection for transgender students in the government's modifications to the Sex Discrimination Act.{{cite web | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-10/religious-discrimination-bill-transgender-protection-explained/100818484 | title=The government lost a dramatic showdown on religious discrimination laws overnight. So what happened? | date=10 February 2022 | last=Evans | first=Jake | publisher=ABC | access-date=10 February 2022 | archive-date=10 February 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210011518/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-10/religious-discrimination-bill-transgender-protection-explained/100818484 | url-status=live }}
• 4 August 2022, the sole member of the Liberal Party and National Party coalition to cross the floor to vote in favour of the government's 43% carbon emissions reduction target legislation.{{Cite web |date=2022-08-03 |title=Liberal MP Bridget Archer to cross the floor on climate bill – as it happened |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2022/aug/03/adam-bandt-climate-bill-anthony-albanese-nancy-pelosi-reserve-bank-interest-rates-peter-dutton-john-barilaro-amy-brown |access-date=2022-09-04 |website=the Guardian |language=en |archive-date=4 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240604061122/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2022/aug/03/adam-bandt-climate-bill-anthony-albanese-nancy-pelosi-reserve-bank-interest-rates-peter-dutton-john-barilaro-amy-brown |url-status=live }}
• 30 November 2022, the sole member of the Liberal Party and National Party coalition to cross the floor to vote in favour of the Labor government's motion to censure former prime minister Scott Morrison over his secret appointment to several ministries; she said that she was registering support, as a Liberal, for the rule of law.{{Cite news|title=Former prime minister Scott Morrison censured in parliament over secret ministries — as it happened|work=ABC News|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-11-30/live-updates-scott-morrison-censure-secret-ministries/101714536|date=30 November 2022|access-date=30 November 2022|archive-date=30 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130000055/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-11-30/live-updates-scott-morrison-censure-secret-ministries/101714536|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/nov/30/scott-morrison-accuses-labor-of-politics-of-retribution-and-offers-excuses-in-censure-debate|title=Parliament censures Scott Morrison over secret ministries after Liberal Bridget Archer backs Labor and Greens|first=Paul|last=Karp|work=The Guardian|date=30 November 2022|access-date=30 November 2022|archive-date=30 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130135906/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/nov/30/scott-morrison-accuses-labor-of-politics-of-retribution-and-offers-excuses-in-censure-debate|url-status=live}}
• 15 February 2023, voting with the government on a bill to establish the Housing Australia Future Fund.{{cite web|title=Liberal rebel splits with Dutton on housing future fund|work=The Australian Financial Review|publisher=Nine Entertainment|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20230215071852/https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/liberal-rebel-splits-with-dutton-on-housing-future-fund-20230215-p5ckn7|url-access=subscription|first=Tom|last=McIlroy|access-date=10 January 2025|archive-date=15 February 2023|date=15 February 2023|url=https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/liberal-rebel-splits-with-dutton-on-housing-future-fund-20230215-p5ckn7|url-status=live}}
• 6 September 2023, joining a number of crossbench MPs in voting for a motion by Andrew Wilkie calling on the government to cease the prosecutions of whistleblowers David McBride and Richard Boyle. The Labor Party and the rest of the Coalition voted against.{{cite Hansard |jurisdiction=Commonwealth of Australia |house=House of Representatives | url=https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Hansard/Hansard_Display?bid=chamber/hansardr/27164/&sid=0032 | title=Motions - Whistleblower Protection - Division | date=6 September 2023 | access-date=4 June 2024 | archive-date=29 February 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229082818/https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Hansard/Hansard_Display?bid=chamber/hansardr/27164/&sid=0032 | url-status=live }}
• 19 October 2023, voting against a motion by Peter Dutton related to his call for a royal commission into child sexual abuse in indigenous communities and an audit of government spending on indigenous Australians. She was opposed to targeting indigenous people specifically, and against more talking when action was required.{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/oct/21/no-matter-how-serious-the-issue-nuance-becomes-a-thought-for-the-coalitions-court-jesters |quote=As Thursday’s suspension debate unfolded, Archer knew she couldn’t sanction a royal commission that would only examine child abuse in Indigenous communities. | title=No matter how serious the issue, nuance becomes a thought crime for the Coalition's court jesters | last=Murphy | first=Katharine | date=21 October 2023 | work=The Guardian | access-date=20 October 2023 | archive-date=4 June 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240604061118/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/oct/21/no-matter-how-serious-the-issue-nuance-becomes-a-thought-for-the-coalitions-court-jesters | url-status=live }}
• 14 February 2024, the sole member of the Liberal Party and National Party coalition to cross the floor to vote in favour of urging the US and UK to allow Julian Assange to return safely to Australia.{{Cite web |title=Federal MPs push motion urging release of Julian Assange and his return to Australia |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/federal-parliament-motion-backs-call-for-us-and-uk-governments-to-allow-assange-to-return-to-australia/bu0ci4ytb |access-date=2024-02-15 |website=SBS News |language=en |archive-date=1 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240601001232/https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/federal-parliament-motion-backs-call-for-us-and-uk-governments-to-allow-assange-to-return-to-australia/bu0ci4ytb |url-status=live }}
• 27 November 2024, the sole member of the Liberal/National coalition to cross the floor to vote against legislation banning under 16 year olds from social media.{{cite news |url=https://thenightly.com.au/politics/australia/liberal-mp-bridget-archer-crosses-floor-joins-greens-and-independents-as-social-media-ban-passes-first-hurdle-c-16891653|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250110042941/https://thenightly.com.au/politics/australia/liberal-mp-bridget-archer-crosses-floor-joins-greens-and-independents-as-social-media-ban-passes-first-hurdle-c-16891653|archive-date=10 January 2025|url-status=live|date=27 November 2024|first=Katina|last=Curtis|title=Liberal MP Bridget Archer crosses floor, joins Greens and Independents as social media ban passes first hurdle|work=The Nightly}}

In November 2023, it was reported that there was a push by some Liberals for her to leave the party, with fellow northern Tasmanian MP Gavin Pearce supposedly an opponent.{{cite web | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-12/bass-liberal-bridget-archer-analysis-adam-langenberg/103089294 | title=Bridget Archer will survive, Liberal colleague says, but rogue MP adamant she is no 'chess piece' | date=12 November 2023 | first=Adam | last=Langenberg | work=ABC News | access-date=4 June 2024 | archive-date=15 March 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240315225955/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-12/bass-liberal-bridget-archer-analysis-adam-langenberg/103089294 | url-status=live }}

In March 2024, she said that she felt marginalised within the Liberal Party, with fewer moderates around. She claimed that her views hadn't changed, but the party had shifted to the right, becoming "One Nation lite".{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/mar/16/peter-dutton-australia-pm-opinion-polls-profile-bio |quote=Liberal MP Bridget Archer, from Tasmania, feels marginalised with fewer moderates around. “The Liberal party has become One Nation lite,” she tells me. | title=Make Australia afraid again: must we have our own Trump moment for Peter Dutton to become PM? | date=16 March 2024 | first=Lech | last=Blaine | work=The Guardian | access-date=4 June 2024 | archive-date=4 June 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240604061124/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/mar/16/peter-dutton-australia-pm-opinion-polls-profile-bio | url-status=live }}

In the 2025 federal election she was defeated by Labor candidate Jess Teesdale.

Archer served as secretary and treasurer of the Liberal Party's George Town branch from 2012 to 2013.

Following her defeat at the previous federal election, Archer was announced as a candidate for the state seat of Bass at the 2025 Tasmanian State election,{{Cite news |date=2025-06-08 |title=Bridget Archer to attempt immediate return to politics as election looms |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-08/bridget-archer-to-run-for-bass-in-state-election/105391136 |access-date=2025-06-17 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}} having unsuccessfully attempted to contest the seat at the 2018 state election.

Archer has five children with her husband Winston. After marrying, they moved to his family property outside George Town, where they farm sheep and beef cattle.

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Category:1975 births

Category:Living people

Category:Members of the Australian House of Representatives

Category:Members of the Australian House of Representatives for Bass

Category:Liberal Party of Australia members of the Parliament of Australia

Category:Women members of the Australian House of Representatives

Category:Mayors of places in Tasmania

Category:University of Tasmania alumni

Category:Women mayors of places in Tasmania

Category:Politicians from Hobart

Category:Tasmanian local councillors

Category:21st-century Australian women politicians

Category:People from George Town, Tasmania

Category:Australian adoptees

Category:Australian MPs 2019–2022

Category:Australian MPs 2022–2025