She is also Minister for Justice, Corrections, Environment and Parks and the Arts.
She unsuccessfully stood as a Liberal Party candidate in the Division of Denison for the 2006 state election.
She polled 3.2% of the primary vote, fourth on the Liberal ticket.
She stood for the same seat at the 2010 state election, polling 4.2% of the primary vote and narrowly secured the Liberal Party's second seat in Denison from preferences.
After being re-elected at the 2014 state election, she was elected Speaker of the Tasmanian House of Assembly.On 2 October 2017, Archer resigned as Speaker and was sworn in as Minister for Justice, Corrections, Environment and Parks and the Arts.