Mrs ARCHER (Bass - Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing) - Honourable Speaker, it is with deep humility, gratitude and a profound sense of responsibility that I rise today to deliver my first speech in this parliament. I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of this land, the Palawa people, who have cared for and nurtured this island, Lutruwita, for tens of thousands of years. I pay my respects to their elders, past and present, and I acknowledge that their connection to land, sea and sky endures.

I also acknowledge the continuing impact of our shared history and the importance of reconciliation in our journey forward as Tasmanians. I stand here today because of the trust placed in me by the people of my community of Bass. To them, I say thank you. Your faith in me is not taken lightly and I will work every day to honour it.

To my family, my husband Winston and my children Luke, Lauren, Edith, Molly, and James, you've been my foundation and my anchor. Public life demands a great deal of those we love, often more than it asks of us directly. Without your love, your patience, your encouragement, and your sacrifices, I would not be here.

To my colleagues, those who have mentored me and believed in me, but also the ones who have challenged me: thank you.

From the George Town Council to the federal parliament and now here in the Tasmanian House of Assembly, every step has been a lesson. It is a bit strange to be delivering this speech today, as I have previously delivered a first speech in another place. I feel that much has been previously said or is on the public record. I will give you the abridged and updated version of the journey so far and some of the lessons learned along the way.

I've spoken before of my early life, of experiences that have forever changed me and the way I see the world. These experiences are not easy to talk about. I have shared them because I know that there are too many others, including, I'm sure, people here today, who carry those invisible scars. Our experiences shape who we are. For me, they have inspired a resolve to stand with the vulnerable, to speak for those who are unheard, and to challenge injustice wherever it arises.

I never imagined I would find myself here. It was almost by accident I found myself standing for local government in George Town. Winston suggested it as a way to meet new people in a new community. What started as a way of putting down roots grew into a passion for community service. I was proud to serve as a councillor, deputy mayor, and then mayor. Those years taught me lessons I have never forgotten. Local government is as close to the people as it gets. You're accountable every time you walk down the street, do the shopping, or go to the footy. It showed me that politics should never be about power for its own sake. It should be about service: service to community, service to country, service to the values that make us stronger together. People should always be at the heart of what we do. That lesson has guided me through every role since.

Later, I had the privilege of serving the people of Bass in the federal parliament. I'm proud of my time as the federal member for Bass and the things I achieved in that role. There are many to mention, but I'm particularly proud of securing funding for New Horizons so that they could continue the outstanding work that they have done in our community; for securing funding to move the Family Court in Launceston to a safer location in Henty House. I fought hard to secure much-needed funding to upgrade the Launceston RSL to support our veteran community.

I'm also proud of the day-to-day work of a local member: listening to our community, advocating on their behalf and assisting to solve problems. This was especially true as we navigated the complexity of the COVID-19 pandemic. I'm also exceptionally proud of some of the parliamentary work I undertook during that time, particularly working with my friend, the member for Indi Helen Haines, on integrity reforms. I also worked with the member for Mackellar, Sophie Scamps on the introduction of the Wellbeing of Future Generations Bill 2025. Whilst that has not progressed, it remains an area of high interest for me and I know it is one that is shared with other members in this place.

I remain proud of the position I took in relation to the Religious Discrimination Bill. While I, of course, believe that people of faith must be protected from discrimination, it cannot be at the expense of eroding the rights of other groups, including some of our most vulnerable citizens. Those years taught me much about integrity, resilience, hope, fear, and courage; about standing up for what you believe in, even when it's difficult. Now, standing here in the Tasmanian parliament, in some ways I feel I've come full circle. I am still the same person who first put her hand up in George Town to serve her community but somehow changed, grown, and strengthened, with broader experience and, I hope, deeper wisdom.

Northern Tasmania is my home and I'll never stop singing its praises: George Town, Launceston, the Tamar Valley, the north-east, Flinders and the Furneaux Islands. These are places of resilience, industry, and beauty, and they are places of deep history. Our history reminds us that Tasmania has always been a place of discovery, of innovation, of connection. Today, our island still shines brightly: the vineyards of the Tamar Valley, the mountain bike trails, the arts and writer's festivals, the food and wine that bring visitor from across the world, the farmlands and the industries that sustain us. Northern Tasmania is truly remarkable. While I will always speak with pride about my home region, today I remember that I also stand as a representative for all Tasmanians. From the Huon to the north-west, from the west coast to the east coast, we share challenges and opportunities that unite us.

My vision for Tasmania is one of opportunity and fairness. I want us to be a place where our children can dream big without being held back by where they were our born or what their parents earn; where every family has a secure home and a chance to thrive; where every Tasmanian has access to healthcare no matter their post code; where our environment is protected, because looking after it is not only an environmental imperative, but an economic one and where our economy grows sustainably, powered by technology, innovation, small business, industry, tourism and agriculture.

Tasmania can lead the way. We have the natural resources, the human capital and the creativity and innovation to be a model of what a fair and prosperous society can look like, but that requires leadership and courage; the courage to confront entrenched disadvantage, to challenge short-term thinking and to make decisions that may not deliver immediate results, but will shape a stronger future for the next generation. It also requires a robust democracy.

Some of the greatest risks to our democracy are cynicism and apathy. Too many people have lost faith in politics and in politicians. They see self-interest, short-term thinking and the corrosive effect of partisanship. Strengthening and defending democracy and democratic institutions has become a priority for me over the past few years, a priority that was enhanced by the opportunity to participate in the McKinnon Institute's Advanced Political Leadership program. It was an incredible professional development opportunity that has given me a new perspective and determination.

I share the commitment of co-founders Grant Rule and Sophie Oh. Their vision states, 'To empower better governments for a stronger Australia', believing that real change is possible, but only if we take a long-term view in facilitating the development of political leadership, increasing public-sector productivity, creating a thriving democracy and accelerating policy innovation. These are not separate goals. They are deeply connected and mutually reinforce trust: trust in our leaders, institutions and democracy, which can help build the conditions for lasting positive change.

Restoring trust must be our collective task. That means conducting ourselves with transparency and honesty. It means remembering why we are here, and that is to serve the people who sent us here. It requires us to work together and sometimes to compromise. I often say, you should have a hill or two that you're prepared to die on, but you can't die on every one.

My promise to this parliament and to the people of Tasmania is simple. I will do my best. I will tell you what I believe. I will listen with respect even when we disagree. I will try to find the common ground and seek to act in the best interests of our community. I will choose pragmatism over ideology. I will not be afraid to show up, even when it is hard, and I will never forget that this seat, this privilege, does not belong to me. It belongs to the people of Bass.

I acknowledge those who have come before me, predecessors who worked hard for their communities, whether in government or in opposition. Public service is demanding, and I respect anyone who puts themselves forward. Today I'd particularly like to acknowledge Simon Wood, Nic Street and Simon Behrakis for their contributions in this place. There are a great many people to thank. I won't be able to name everyone, but I thank all of the friends, volunteers and branch members and supporters who gave their time in not just one, but the two elections I contested this year.

2025 has been quite a wild year and without their encouragement, I certainly would not be here today. The federal election campaign and result was challenging, painful and exhausting, and I wasn't really excited to do it all again, especially so soon but I am so glad that I took the chance, not just because it means that I'm standing here today, but because it was an overwhelmingly positive experience.

I saw the very best of my party working together, united by our shared goals and values, not divided by our occasionally different opinions: a dedicated and hard-working team of candidates with a positive, energetic and engaging campaign and a support team working day and night to support them. Some special thanks to Jo and Andrew Palmer, Dorothy Dehayes, Tim Robertson, Ben Newman, Sam McQuestin, Richard Trethewey and Michael McKenna. Thanks to Jorden Gunton, Liz Baumann, Lucy Mercier and Ben Jacobson, Tarlia Jordan, Tristan Bick, Josh Gudja, Sarah Aquilina, James Whiteley, Pat Tilley and Charles Headlam.

Thank you to my fellow Bass candidates Rob Fairs, Michael Ferguson, Simon Wood, Julie Sladden, Sarah Quaile and Chris Gatenby, for the camaraderie, the coffee, the wobble-boarding and the laughs. From the friends who letterboxed in all weather, especially Jodie and Mel, and Hans who once again found himself wobble-boarding. To the local community clubs and community groups, to the Tasmanians who stopped me in the street to share their stories. You have all shaped the person that I am and the representative I strive to be.

My most heartfelt thank you is for our Premier, Jeremy Rockliff, for his compassion, courage and perseverance, which have been inspiring, and for his friendship, support and for believing in me although he has very questionable taste in music and confusing coffee preferences.

I entered politics by chance, but I have continued by choice, because I believe we can make a difference in serving our community in this way. From the council chambers of George Town to the halls of the federal parliament and now here in the Tasmanian Parliament, my commitment has not wavered: to be genuine, to be authentic, to be compassionate and collaborative.

Tasmania has immense challenges, but even greater opportunities. We can build a state that is fairer, healthier, more sustainable, more prosperous. That is my hope for Tasmania, and I know it is a shared vision. That is the work we can do in this parliament. May we together build a future that honours our past, embraces our present and secures a brighter future for all Tasmanians. Thank you.