The week is taken up with each minister fronting with their top bureaucrats to answer questions from MPs in both Houses.

It's usually a series of bone dry fiscal arguments, ministers whispering to advisers behind cupped hands, while opposition MPs spoil the party by scoring points and not eliciting one new fact or figure.

On the first morning session a new government usually emerges with some damaging revelation to highlight the excesses of the previous government, and use this to put the new opposition on the back foot.

That's the sparring. Underneath the politics new themes and excesses of the new government will start to emerge.

It may be that the government is unable to justify slashing places on the Tasmanian Heritage Register, from 5553 places to 3900.

The cost of the cabinet is being cut from $19 million to less than $17 million next financial year, mainly through savings from the limousine fleet, but by 2017-18 it will be back up to almost $19 million.

Indeed, the cost of Parliament and cabinet, at around $39 million a year, is being cut modestly in real terms. Not very drastic, and, overall expenses will increase by $190 million to $5.249 billion over the past year. The deficit will increase to $286 million, or $304 million, when you remove the distortion of one-off federal funding.

All part of the Hodgman plan to trim, but not slash. Some say it's not enough, but most people are sick of the new age of diminishing handouts.

All the more reason why a good look under a microscope this week might provide a few clues, if not explanations as to what they're really up to.