But a lot can change in three years.

In just the space of two months, the Tasmanian Government lost its premier and education minister due to burn out, and its sports minister resigned from cabinet under a cloud of controversy.

READ MORE: Jeremy Rockliff to become Tasmania's 47th premier with Michael Ferguson as deputy

The Liberals promised "stability" after going to a snap early election in May last year, but it has been anything but.

At least for now, on the surface, the transition from Premier Peter Gutwein to Premier Jeremy Rockliff has gone smoothly.

From the moment Mr Gutwein suddenly announced his plans to resign on Monday, Mr Rockliff seemed the obvious replacement having served in a range of portfolios and as deputy premier.

This was confirmed the next day, when a call from a senior Liberal "source" was made to each major Tasmanian newsroom seeking to put an immediate end to any speculation about the premier role.

What was less clear, however, was the deputy premier position.

Attorney-General Elise Archer released a statement on Wednesday signalling her intention to stand as deputy, pointing out she could provide a gender balance and represent Tasmania's South.

Yet it seems likely Mr Rockliff had already made his decision by this stage, having "worked through" plans with senior cabinet minister Michael Ferguson during the week for him to become treasurer. The pair have served in the House of Assembly together for 12 years, and Mr Rockliff launched Mr Ferguson's state parliamentary campaign back in 2010.

This was made clear in a statement from Mr Ferguson on Thursday - a statement he never intended to make.

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"I was actually hoping to get through to Friday without making any media comment," he said.

"I've spoken to each of my parliamentary colleagues. I did my own numbers. I'm ... thoroughly grateful for the support that was indicated to me and I want to say just how grateful I feel about that."

By Friday, Ms Archer decided to withdraw her plans to nominate and the Rockliff-Ferguson partnership was picked unopposed.

Mr Ferguson attempted to paint a picture of unity within the partyroom when they met on Friday morning.

"I can tell you from the partyroom today, there was a lot of goodwill to Jeremy, to me and also to Elise, but to each other," he said.

"We're a very tight unit. Don't ever try to come between us. We're a very tight unit.

"There'll be no intrigue here because our party, if you were in the room there this morning you would have seen it yourself, our party is very united, very committed to Tasmanians, not the politics."

The Tasmanian Liberals have not had a female in the role of deputy premier since 1998 or a female leader since 2001 when in opposition, but Mr Rockliff said he was not concerned.

"As I looked around the room this morning, I saw a lot of diversity, a lot of commitment, and a lot of energy, and each and every one of them that stood for Parliament to make a difference," he said.

"My parliamentary colleagues [are] very committed people from diverse backgrounds."

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The Tasmanian Liberals have 17 members of parliament - 10 men and seven women. This balance will remain after Mr Gutwein's resignation.

The nine-member cabinet has six men and three women prior to a reshuffle, likely on Monday. Mr Rockliff will retain the health and mental health portfolios. Upper house member Jo Palmer could be in line for a promotion, but she would not be drawn on the issue earlier this week.

Mr Ferguson has long been considered to have leadership ambitions, but said he was happy to be deputy behind Mr Rockliff.

"Jeremy will not have the problem that people like, you know, famous federal leaders have had where they've got to look over their shoulder," Mr Ferguson said.

"My role is to support Jeremy loyally, faithfully and thoroughly.

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"He knows that he will never have to worry about me over his shoulder."

Contrary to Mr Gutwein's assertive and forthright persona, Mr Rockliff has a calmer demeanour and a tendency to take time to answer questions. But he said this would not hinder him in trying to complete complex issues such as the Commission of Inquiry, Aboriginal treaty and getting an AFL team.

"Twenty years is a long time in political and parliamentary life. I'm as energised as the day I was elected," Mr Rockliff said.

Being elevated from finance minister to treasurer means Mr Ferguson has the task of delivering a state budget on May 26, which won't be delayed.

Parliament has also been prorogued for three weeks until May 3 to allow for a Bass recount, despite Labor offering a paired vote.

Mr Ferguson said much of the work on the budget had already been done by Mr Gutwein - who was also treasurer.

"There's still a lot of work to do, naturally I'll be throwing myself into the depths of briefings with Treasury noting that I have been serving as finance minister until now so I have a good handle on it and have been supporting the previous premier in the development of the budget," he said.

Labor and the Greens have spent the week slamming the government for its instability, having already undergone a series of cabinet changes since the last election.

Greens leader Cassy O'Connor had wanted Mr Rockliff as premier rather than Mr Ferguson, while Labor remained concerned that it was only "a matter of time" before Mr Ferguson rose to the top.

But Ms O'Connor believed the new leadership could be an opportunity for renewal.

"It is our sincere hope the Rockliff government will not be a business-as-usual government, that it will be a courageous government with a culture of openness and transparency that starts at the top," she said.

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Upper house independent Meg Webb had grown increasingly concerned at the government's tone in answering questions and bringing matters through parliament, and she wanted to see a change.

"Sadly, we've seen government become increasingly arrogant, autocratic and dismissive of dissenting voices, the role of the Legislative Council and the broader parliament," she said.

"Too often Parliament has been marginalised and reduced to a mere rubber-stamp for executive government, which erodes public trust and confidence in our democratic systems.

"As the new premier, Mr Rockliff now has the responsibility to change the tone of government, and to replace glass-jawed defensiveness with positive and open leadership."

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