High-polling Liberal Braddon MP Mr Brooks came to grief in 2016 over a business email account when he was resources minister.

It led to Integrity Commission findings he had breached protocols aimed at separating his business interests from his portfolio responsibilities and misled then-premier Will Hodgman on the nature of his dealings with the company.

Mr Brooks took time away from parliament to deal with health and personal issues and resigned from parliament in early 2019.

Mr Hodgman said Mr Brooks had paid a significant price.

Mr Gutwein on Tuesday said he had not spoken to Mr Brooks about a potential comeback attempt and a comeback bid would be a matter for Mr Brooks and for the electorate.

"If he wanted to have a discussion at any stage, I'd, of course, be very happy to have a chat with him," Mr Gutwein said.

"He was a well liked member here on the North-West Coast and certainly a valuable member of the team."

A Brooks candidacy at the next state election would help shore up the Liberals' vote in Braddon, where they currently hold three of five seats.

Mr Brooks' intentions are not clear, but he has been politically active behind the scenes.

Meanwhile, Mr Gutwein conceded delivery of the replacement Spirit of Tasmania ferries was likely to be delayed.

The ferries are due to be delivered in 2021, but problems at German shipbuilder Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft have led to widespread speculation the schedule will not be met, or even that the company might collapse, leaving Tasmania to find a new shipbuilder.

The shipbuilder was acquired by an investment company late last year.

Labor has said Tasmania is in the dark about the $688 million project.

"At the end of the day, there's a contract in place and (ferry operator) TT-Line are obviously negotiating with FSG," Mr Gutwein said.

"FSG have got themselves into difficulties, but at this stage the message from them is they are still able to build the ships, but we're working through those processes.

"I think it's reasonable to expect there will be a delay, but the shipbuilder has a contract ..."

Asked if it was time to choose a new shipbuilder, Mr Gutwein again said there was a contract and said the state's interests were protected and the government would await advice from the TT-Line board, which was engaged with FSG.

Mr Gutwein was sworn in on Monday as Tasmania's 46^th Premier.

It followed Mr Hodgman's resignation from parliament.

Mr Gutwein had been Treasurer since the Liberal government was first elected in 2014.