Tasmania's minority Liberal government is hanging by a thread, with an early election on the cards after a key independent rejected the premier's push for a new deal.
The Liberals have been in minority since May when John Tucker and Lara Alexander quit the party to sit as independents amid concerns about government transparency.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff issued the pair an ultimatum last week, saying parliament had become unworkable under their "my way or the highway" approach.
Mr Rockliff said he may ask for an early election if Mr Tucker and Ms Alexander didn't sign a new agreement, that includes a ban on backing opposition bills in parliament.
Mr Tucker and Ms Alexander have propped up the government with votes of confidence and supply in parliament since becoming independents.
But Mr Tucker in January threatened to move a no-confidence motion in the government when parliament resumes in March if it didn't honour parliamentary motions calling for CCTV in abattoirs and the delay of plans for an AFL high-performance centre.
Mr Tucker on Thursday described the premier's new terms as "extreme", saying it appeared the decision to go to an early election had already been made.
"The premier’s confrontational approach is unnecessary," Mr Tucker told reporters.
"His demand that we sit quietly in the corner until we are told what we can and cannot do by the 'boys club' is a reminder of why we left the Liberal Party in the first place."
Mr Tucker, Ms Alexander and Mr Rockliff are set to meet on Friday.
"My position as outlined in my letters of last Thursday has not changed," Mr Rockliff said in a statement.
"I want certainty and stability for Tasmania, and that is what I intend to deliver."
Mr Tucker indicated the premier had until parliament's return to confirm he would comply with the original May agreement and commit to the parliamentary motions.
"I will not provide continued confidence and supply to a government which seeks to impose minority rule over the majority," Mr Tucker said.
"As long as I am an MP, I will continue to pursue the interests of my constituents without fear or favour.
"I will never, ever sign up to be handcuffed, muzzled and sidelined from any meaningful contribution to the parliament."
Tasmania, home to the last Liberal government in Australia, is not due to head to the polls until May 2025.
Ms Alexander, who earlier this week rejected Mr Rockliff's new proposal, said she welcomed Mr Tucker's stance.
"One of the reasons I made the decision to leave the Liberal Party ... was because the premier and his senior ministers insisted that I should always put the party’s interests above those of the people I serve," she said in a statement.
"That demand was not acceptable then, and it remains unacceptable now.
"I will never serve as Jeremy Rockliff’s parliamentary lapdog."
Ms Alexander called on the premier to govern for a full term, saying work to implement recommendations from an inquiry into child sexual abuse in state institutions needed to continue.
Mr Tucker and Ms Alexander were critical of the government's deal for an AFL team and new stadium when they left the Liberals.
