His view comes after reports current speaker Sue Hickey has submitted to the Tasmanian Industrial Commission that the role and that of the Legislative Council president should attract higher pay.

The commission is conducting a review of parliamentary salaries for 2019-20.

An issues paper released in March shows a state parliamentarian earns a basic salary of $140,185.

The lower house speaker attracts an additional $49,065 - the same amount as the president in the upper house.

The speaker also gets a six-per-cent loading on the basic salary for office-related expenditure and another six-per cent for an entertainment allowance - or $8441.

The speaker is also entitled to a chauffeured car.

Mr Polley served for 19 years as the House of Assembly speaker and before that spent time as a government minister.

He said the role was a unique one but did not believe allowances to serve in the position should be bumped up.

"I can only say that I was well-paid for what I did," Mr Polley said.

He said any increase to a parliamentarian's salary should be considered in the context of the government's wage cap for the public service.

"I cannot see any justification for a pay rise for politicians above that wage cap," Mr Polley said.

Ms Hickey has been contacted for comment.