A senior government minister says the Labor Party is "bullying and harassing" Madeleine Ogilvie who an MLC has accused of "abrogating' her responsibility to Parliament.
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Michael Ferguson, the leader of government business in the House of Assembly says Ms Ogilvie, a former Labor member turned Independent, is "operating in difficult circumstances".
"She is being harassed by the party that basically excluded her," Mr Ferguson said.
"Labor are embarrassed they dropped a member and they are bullying and harassing Madeleine Ogilvie and it is a shame to watch.
"We are working with Madeleine as we would work with every member of parliament.
"We were thrilled that we were able to see key legislation for the government that Tasmanians voted for being supported by Madeleine and she should be complimented on that because that's what Tasmanians want."
Independent MLC for Murchison Ruth Forrest was critical of Ms Ogilive for support mandatory minimum sentencing.
Ms Ogilvie voted with the government to support the legislation which has already been rejected by the High Court.
"Ms Ogilvie has abrogated her duty as an elected member of Parliament and let down her constituents who elected her to scrutinise all legislation that comes before the Parliament fully," Ms Forrest said.
"Why bring all the skills of a legal profession into the Parliament and then abrogate that responsibility saying it is the role of the Legislative Council to be legislators and do the work she was elected to do."
Australian Lawyers Alliance spokesman Fabiano Congelosi was also upset at Ms Ogilvie's support of minimum mandatory sentencing.
"I'm extremely surprised she supported it," he said.
Ms Ogilvie was unperturbed by criticism and Mr Ferguson's suggestions of bullying.
"Robust debate is always to be expected," she said.
"With topics such as this and late night sitting, nerves can get frayed. That's understandable when people are tired.
"I've learnt that it's hard to please everyone, unfortunately, but I am always happy to take performance improvement suggestions on board."
Ms Forrest said mandatory sentencing was "an insult to the intelligence and expertise of those appointed as judges and magistrates suggesting the Parliament knows better than these highly qualified members of the judiciary without all the facts of a case before the court".
She said she hoped "this political populist approach" was not aimed at creating hate leading up to the elections in May for the seats of Rosevears and Huon.