Several of the ALP candidates to stand at the state election in March next year work as either ministerial advisers or staffers to Tasmanian federal Labor MPs.

Yesterday, ALP state secretary John Dowling said he was "strongly encouraging" candidates who were on the public payroll to take leave without pay once the election campaign began in earnest.

At the same time, he was quick to point out that candidates whose salaries came from the public purse were "not obligated" to take leave without pay and could instead opt to take paid leave.

"I believe the same standards should be applied by both the Liberals and the Tasmanian Greens," Mr Dowling said.

Meanwhile, a senior member of Premier David Bartlett's office is understood to be preparing to act as campaign manager for Bass Labor hopeful - and failed independent candidate for Windermere - Kathryn Hay.

Labor Party sources have told The Examiner that Ian Pattie, the head of Premier David Bartlett's Launceston office, is expected to act as Ms Hay's campaign manager during her tilt at Bass.

Mr Pattie would neither confirm nor deny the move, while Ms Hay could not be reached for comment.

Mr Bartlett said there was nothing unusual about senior staff members working on ALP election campaigns.

"Many of my senior staff are of course members of the Labor Party," he said.

"What they do in their own time is their own business ... I suspect many of them have worked on campaigns in the past and will work on campaigns in the future."

While Ms Hay is yet to be officially endorsed as a Labor Party candidate for Bass, the ALP's affirmative action policy means she is guaranteed a spot on the party's Bass ticket.

Seven candidates have nominated for preselection in Bass, with the ballot to be held at this weekend's Labor Party State Conference in Hobart.

They include sitting member and Environment Minister Michelle O'Byrne, Beaconsfield rockfall survivor Brant Webb, union official Scott McLean, University of Tasmania lecturer Rob Soward, Winnaleah District High School principal Brian Wightman and community activist Michelle Cripps.