Ms Hickey, the former lord mayor of Hobart, entered state politics with a flurry.

The Liberals assumed it was a foregone conclusion that their pick for Speaker, long-serving member Rene Hidding, would be endorsed as Speaker, which would set him up for a transition to retirement.

About two months earlier, The Examiner correctly predicted that the speaker gig was not set in stone.

In March 2018, we reported there was no reason there could not be a repeat of circumstances of 1992 when the government's choice of Speaker was not supported.

In 1992, the Liberal government nominated the late Michael Hodgman for the position, but Labor's Michael Polley masterminded a speakership coup resulting in fellow Liberal Graeme Page assuming the role of Speaker.

On May 1, 2018, Michael Polley had a front-row seat to the same scenario when Ms Hickey was nominated by Labor leader Rebecca White and Greens leader Cassy O'Connor.

It was reported at the time that Ms O'Connor greeted Mr Polley warmly as he sat in the Speaker's Reserve to observe the political theatre that was about to be on display.

Since that remarkable event, Ms Hickey has continued to make headlines for either voting against the Liberals or demanding commitment to causes close to her heart, such as homelessness down south.

It's not a surprise to hear that the Liberals at the next election won't endorse her.

The fact this has already been communicated, when the election isn't marked until next March, is more telling.

It appears an early election is definitely on the cards for Premier Peter Gutwein and his team.

No doubt the Liberal party will be watching the Legislative Council elections of Windermere, Mersey and Derwent as a guide for the right time to call an election.

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