TASMANIAN Greens leader Nick McKim and fellow MP Cassy O'Connor will be forced to step aside from some party room votes because they are now a couple.
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The party maintains that it is business as usual despite the new relationship, although it is moving to ensure there is no conflict of interest when portfolio positions or leadership issues arise.
Mr McKim and Ms O'Connor would not say how long they had been a couple when contacted by The Examiner yesterday.
However, a brief statement from the Greens confirmed the relationship.
"Mr McKim and Ms O'Connor said that they have discussed this matter with their party room colleagues (Tim Morris and Kim Booth)," a statement from the Greens said.
"The Greens party room has unanimously resolved that neither Mr McKim nor Ms O'Connor will vote in any ballots on leadership or portfolio positions for which the other is a candidate."
The move means that while three party members are still able to vote on leadership positions and portfolio responsibilities, either Mr McKim or Ms O'Connor would be excluded from the vote if the other was a candidate.
Neither Mr McKim nor Ms O'Connor were involved in any other personal relationship when they began seeing each other.
"Mr McKim and Ms O'Connor said that they would not publicly discuss any other MP's private matters, and therefore do not intend to publicly discuss their relationship in any further detail as they regard it as a private matter," the statement reads.
Mr Morris said he did not have anything to add to the party's statement, while Mr Booth said the decision was made to exclude either Mr McKim or Ms O'Connor to ensure the party continued to operate in a open, transparent and accountable manner.
"It's not a problem and it's not an issue," he said.
"It has not caused the slightest concern at all in regard to the way we'll conduct our business in the party room."
Mr McKim was elevated to the role of Tasmanian Greens leader after the resignation of Denison MHA Peg Putt in July last year.
Two weeks after Ms Putt's resignation, Ms O'Connor was elected on a recount - and ultimately handed the portfolios of Health, Parks and Heritage, Antarctic Affairs, Women, Environment, Arts, Youth, Multicultural Affairs and Tourism.
Ms O'Connor had previously established a high profile within the environmental movement as a lead campaigner with the group Save Ralphs Bay - which is fighting against Walker Corporation's plans for a marina- style development in Southern Tasmania.