Greens leader Nick McKim has indicated he is prepared to negotiate with Labor or the opposition on the details of his proposal to increase the size of the House of Assembly to 35 seats.
It's unclear if money would need to be set aside in the May state budget to pay for the extra 10 MHAs' salaries, assuming an increase in MP numbers went ahead at next March's state election.
The cost in its first year is likely to be less than $1 million and could be part of routine adjustments to government spending made later in the year.
Premier Lara Giddings has not ruled out supporting the change being pursued by the Greens, but has said it is a low priority and would depend on the state's financial circumstances.
Mr McKim, who has vowed to bring the bill on for debate in the first half of this year, yesterday did not rule out negotiating with either party on funding and timing issues.
The government may also try to find savings elsewhere to balance the estimated $3 million cost of restoring the House of Assembly to 35 seats, in a bid to reduce the expected public backlash.
Only 43 people have signed a petition calling for the increase since Greens Bass MHA Kim Booth started it online four months ago.
University of Tasmania school of government senior lecturer Tony McCall said the parties should seek a mandate from the electorate to go ahead with the reforms.
``The election is scheduled to be held in March 2014. If political parties think changing the size of the Parliament is important let them test that proposition as part of their election platform,'' he said.
Dr McCall said a government's ability to show leadership and get things done was more important.
Community and Public Sector Union secretary Tom Lynch agreed and said greater change was needed. He said an extra 10 MPs did not mean an increase in the talent pool at Parliament because it was predictable who would fill the extra 10 seats.
The Tasmanian Electoral Commission does not need much warning to conduct the larger election.
Electoral Commissioner Julian Type said it would mean dealing with extra candidates and extending the time to count votes, but given the House of Assembly had 35 seats up until 1996 it was not a big deal.