Speaker Sue Hickey has called a media conference at Parliament House on Friday afternoon to address her future as she considers becoming independent.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It comes after Ms Hickey was overlooked for a ministerial position in Premier Will Hodgman's Cabinet reshuffle last weekend.
Ms Hickey is considering leaving the Liberal Party to sit as an independent, a move that will push the Hodgman Government into minority status.
In the aftermath of the reshuffle, Ms Hickey told The Examiner she was "not appreciated" by those within her own party and that "maybe they want me to go as an independent". She was only informed of the reshuffle when the Premier returned her call 10 minutes before his announcment.
Tasmanian business groups have urged her to remain in the Liberal Party in the interests of stability and confidence for sectors across the state.
Ms Hickey has already voted against the government on several matters, including over opt-in options for gender on birth certificates and minimum mandatory sentences.
She has been an outspoken advocate for housing and solutions to the state's homelessness crisis.
Ms Hickey defeated fellow Liberal MHA Rene Hidding for the Speakership after being supported by Labor and the Greens.
The recent reshuffle resulted in Michael Ferguson losing the health and police portfolios, while Lyons MHA Mark Shelton was promoted to the frontbench with the police, fire and emergency management ministry.
The press conference is planned for 1pm in the Parliament House long room.
