Tasmania's new premier and deputy premier are prepared to consider increasing the size of the state's lower house following a string of ministerial resignations and countbacks in recent months.
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Deputy Premier Michael Ferguson said "there's certainly a case" for restoring the numbers in the House of Assembly, but it would not be the government's immediate priority.
Calls to increase the lower house from 25 to 35 have grown following the resignations of former premier Peter Gutwein and former education minister Sarah Courtney, prompting backbenchers to be promoted to cabinet and ministers to be given up to five portfolios.
Mr Ferguson said such a process would need to take into account the community's wishes.
"There is a case for a bigger parliament to allow a bigger ministry and the allocation of portfolios," he said.
"I don't have too many people stopping me in the street asking for a larger parliament, but there is a number of people who take that view and they take it strongly.
"It's something that we're prepared to look at.
"[Premier] Jeremy [Rockliff] has indicated likewise but it's not our immediate priority."
The lower house was reduced from 35 to 25 in 1998, which was seen as an attempt by the Liberals and Labor to reduce the influence of the Greens after they held the balance of power on several occasions.
Such a move was not specifically recommended across numerous reports, before it was enacted under Liberal premier Tony Rundle.
By 2009, a joint select committee found restoring the numbers to 35 was worthy of consideration, and the following year all parties signed an agreement to take the proposal to their partyrooms. Peter Boyce AO then carried out a review.
Before the review was tabled, then-opposition leader Will Hodgman withdrew the Liberals' support, closely followed by Labor also withdrawing.
In 2020, a House of Assembly select committee again recommending restoring the numbers finding the reduction was "a mistake" and had adversely impacted representation in Tasmania.
Treasury and Finance estimated the cost would be $5.9 million at first, then $6.4 million per year, to increase the house from 25 to 35.
The physical seats are still in the chamber, while the change could occur at the next election with the five electorates increasing from five members each to seven. The number of ministers would increase from nine to 10.
Both Mr Gutwein and Ms Courtney cited the workload of ministers during their resignations.
Mr Ferguson - who holds the positions of Treasurer, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, and Minister for Planning - said he was comfortable with his current workload.
"I work very hard and I have got a very heavy workload, but I manage, and I enjoy what I do and I've got great family support to be able to do that," he said.
"It's not an insurmountable workload, and we all have choices about how much time we're able to share between work and family."
The Tasmanian Greens have long advocated for restoring the numbers, while a Labor spokesperson said they supported it "in principle" but it was not a priority.
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