Mr Hodgman announced a significant Cabinet reshuffle on Sunday afternoon, prompted by Minister for Women Jacquie Petrusma's shock resignation from the frontbench due to health issues.

Two weeks ago, Ms Hickey, a Denison Liberal MHA, publicly called for the health portfolio to be taken away from Michael Ferguson. And now the government has done so, with Bass Liberal MHA Sarah Courtney set to take the reins of the challenging portfolio.

Ms Hickey said she was "annoyed" that she heard rumours of the reshuffle after being contacted by the media before she heard the news from the Premier himself.

"Politics is always about politics, not ability," a frustrated Ms Hickey said.

"I have been publicly snubbed [for Cabinet] twice.

"I am the most liberal of Liberals but am obviously not appreciated for what I bring to the party and that is taking it away from the ... issues people are concerned about."

In an ominous sign for the Hodgman government, Ms Hickey left the door open to defecting from the Liberals and becoming an independent, which would reduce the government to a minority situation.

"Maybe they [the Liberals] want me to go as an independent," she said.

"I will always have the confidence of the state as my priority but I will have a conversation about what this all means and I could become an independent."

Ms Hickey said she rang Mr Hodgman and left a message for him after being contacted by the media about his announcement.

"I was not told which is very annoying and so much for being part of the team," she said.

"He rang me 10 minutes before his media conference and said I was doing a good job and contributing in my own way."

Ms Hickey said she was "thrilled" that Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff had been given the newly created mental health portfolio.

"I wish Sarah well - she will need every piece of stamina she's got for the hardest job around," she said.

Ms Hickey had hoped to be offered the housing portfolio.

"I have done a lot in that area," she said. "I was the only one who realised winter was coming and we have more money for emergency housing now and in health I got extra money for women's health and the emergency department."

"I believe I can still do a lot and maybe if I was a minister I would be bound by cabinet solidarity.

"I'll be weighing it all up this week. All I want is respect."

She also criticised the fact that there were now only two Southern-based ministers in the new Cabinet.

"It seems to be about postcodes," Ms Hickey said.

Mr Hodgman said he believed Ms Hickey would "continue to play an important role as Speaker" and said it was "wrong" to say she had been snubbed.

"I would hope Sue, who was elected as a Liberal, would continue to serve as part of a majority Liberal government," he said.

The Premier said he had spoken to Ms Hickey before the announcement and that she had not expressed to him the sentiments she later aired via the media.