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.
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.”
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-corruptionxjmtzyw 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.”
