Former Huon Independent MLC Paul Harriss said Mr Gaffney went to extraordinary lengths to explain, or justify, why he resigned from the Legislative Council select committee on AFL in Tasmania last week, but there was not a squeak from him when he packed in four other committees in May.

"And that is to say nothing of him being the only member not to attend Government House to present the newly elected President to the Governor - tossing the toys out of the cot?" Mr Harriss said.

"Join the dots and it is more than coincidental that Mr Gaffney is neither president of the Legislative Council nor rolling up his sleeves to undertake committee work that became even more important when the size of the Parliament was reduced in 1998."

Mr Harriss is the second former member of the upper house to question Mr Gaffney's decision to resign from a total of five committees this year after former McIntyre Independent MLC Greg Hall expressed concern over the member's committee workload last week.

Mr Gaffney said he chose to streamline his workload in order to focus on carrying the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill, which is expected to be tabled in the upper house this year, and to allow other members the opportunity to partake in committee work following a membership shake-up after the retirement of former president Jim Wilkinson.

"Having served on many committees over the last decade, and deciding to prioritise a bill that I feel very strongly about, I find these comments quite disrespectful and misguided," Mr Gaffney said.

"I feel that selecting certain bills or issues, whether in chamber of committee, to focus on actually serves to support better outcomes in legislation and reporting and I am comfortable with my decision.

"It almost appears to be a witch hunt by former members who are feeling the pinch of 'lack of relevancy' in their retirement."

Mr Gaffney said Craig Farrell was an excellent candidate for president of the Legislative Council given his personal qualities and previous experience in local government and as Leader of Government Business.

"I was the first to congratulate and shake Craig Farrell's hand after the vote," Mr Gaffney said.

"He is a friend of mine and I have enjoyed seeing him provide excellent guidance and leadership in the chamber."