The Premier Will Hodgman has no regrets about not offering new Speaker Sue Hickey a ministry.
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Mr Hodgman confirmed he had spoken to the new Speaker since her shock election to the position on Tuesday but would not reveal details of the conversation.
Ms Hickey is believed to have accepted the nomination as Speaker because she did not get a ministry.
“I’ve given ministerial allocations to people who have merit,”Mr Hodgman told a media conference on Wednesday morning.
“It is not always an easy choice because there are limitations as to how many ministers a government can have.
“In my case I have more well-qualified, experienced and enthusiastic people who want to be ministers, certainly more than Labor and the Greens.”
Mr Hodgman rejected suggestions he was now governing in minority or that Ms Hickey had betrayed him and the party.
“We have 13 members, yes we have an independent speaker, but Sue Hickey is a member of the Liberal Party, and we have 13 members and that’s a majority,” he said.
“Our job is to deliver on what we promised and we all have a responsibility to do that.
“I have a commitment from her that she wishes to remain a member of the Liberal Party.
“I have a commitment most importantly from Sue Hickey that she will not block supply.
“It’s important to remember that that not only means passing the budget but also the commitments we took to the election.”
The new Speaker had also agreed not to support any no-confidence motions against the government.
Mr Hodgman dismissed claims he should resign because Ms Hickey was going to be an independent speaker.
He would not be drawn on whether Ms Hickey should have been pre-selected.
Mr Hodgman repeatedly said he would act in the interests of all Tasmanians and deliver on the Liberals’ election promises.
“If anyone thinks, I’ve got any intention of otherwise sticking the course and delivering on what we promised and putting the interests of Tasmanians first, then they’re very mistaken,” he said.
“Our job is to deliver what we promised, to get our legislation, through the Parliament and that includes the upper house as well.
“I’ll always work with all members of Parliament to deliver what is in the best interests of Tasmanians.”
He remained confident about getting major legislation through the House of Assembly.
