Tasmanian politician Rene Hidding denies historical sexual assault allegations and resigns from Parliament

A Queensland woman over the weekend alleged she was sexually abused by a sitting Liberal state parliamentarian when she stayed with his family over a six-month period as a teenager.

Mr Hidding on Monday outed himself as the politician at the centre of the claim and denied wrongdoing.

"I am devastated at the false and malicious allegations leveled against me through the media," he said.

"These allegations have been made in the context of a wider, long-term bitter dispute within my wife’s family, most recently over an estate."

Mr Hidding said he was aware the woman could exploit his status as a public figure due to the fracture within the family.

"But I did not know what type of allegation would be made," he said.

“In the 40 years since she lived with us, the individual has never before raised these matters.

"Needless to say, I am extremely upset by them and refute them strongly."

Mr Hidding said he would be seeking redress from the publishers of the article News Limited who first aired the claims as the story's contents essentially exposed him as the man at the centre of the allegations, despite not naming him.

"My immediate aim is to secure the well-being of my family and myself after this devastating and malicious attack on us," he said.

Mr Hidding said this meant he would retire from Parliament immediately.

Mr Hidding was first elected in 1996 and served as opposition leader from 2002 to 2006.

His resignation will trigger a recount in the Lyons electorate which may not be completed by March 12.

The Liberals won three seats in the electorate in last years state election.

One of those to miss out was Jane Howlett, who was elected to the seat of Prosser last year, and Break O'Day councillor John Tucker.

This means Mr Tucker is almost certain to fill the lower house vacancy.

Premier Will Hodgman said he had referred the matter to the Police Commissioner on Saturday but said Mr Hidding was entitled to the presumption of innocence if an official investigation take place.

He said Mr Hidding has offered his resignation voluntarily.

Mr Hodgman said his office had received an anonymous call earlier this month alleging that a formal complaint had been made to police against a member of his government.

He said the government would talk to the Tasmanian Electoral Commissioner about the timing of a recount but was not confident it would be completed by the time Parliament resumed.

He said in that case, the government would seek either a delay to Parliament's resumption or would seek a pair from Labor.

Mr Hidding is the final member to fall under a generous defined benefits superannuation scheme before changes were made which means he could be entitled to a payout of more than $1 million.

Earlier in the day, Labor's Sarah Lovell said the party would consider granting a pair or agreeing to delay to return of Parliament if resignation was to occur.

"That's a decision we would need to make based on the circumstances at the time," she said.

"It's an interesting scenario and we'd have to have a look at those circumstances.

"It is important that this person remove themselves from a position where they may be making decisions on matters of importance to the Tasmanian community," she said.

"It is also critical that the type of behaviour described in these allegations has no place in the Tasmanian Parliament.

"We must remember that at the centre of this is a woman who has bravely spoken up about the historical allegations."

Tasmania Police said they had been in direct contact with the complainant following the allegation an historical sexual assault.

It said two officers would travel to Queensland on Tuesday in order to take her statement.

Mr Hidding is the second Liberal parliamentarian to resign from politics this year after Braddon MHA Adam Brooks stood down after months of sick leave following the release of an Integrity Commission report into his conduct as Resources Minister. 

Braddon Labor MHA Shane Broad said it was clear the government was in crisis.

“As we approach the start of the parliamentary year, Will Hodgman’s government is focused only on itself and is completely incapable of addressing important issues to Tasmanians," he said.