Australia's only Liberal premier risks further political trouble if he doesn't quickly follow through on his threat to trigger an early election, an analyst says.
Tasmania's Premier Jeremy Rockliff is actively considering asking the governor for an early poll after talks with two Liberal-turned-independent MPs didn't deliver his desired outcome.
John Tucker and Lara Alexander, who left the Liberals in May and plunged the government into minority, have rejected the premier's demands for a new more restrictive agreement.
The pair want to stick with an original deal to continue providing votes of confidence and supply, which have propped up the government.
Mr Rockliff will meet cabinet colleagues on Tuesday after saying he is still considering an early election he threatened on February 2.
Political analyst Richard Herr said the premier would look stronger and more decisive if he went to the governor by early next week.
"Why drag it out? There is nothing he needs to discuss," Professor Herr said.
Prof Herr tipped parliament wouldn't resume as scheduled in early March and an election would be held before Easter.
"The longer campaign period (Mr Rockliff) allows, the longer it allows third parties and independents to establish profiles," he said.
"It would (also) be silly for him to come back to parliament and risk further damage.
"There’s too much speculation now, these things almost becoming self-fulfilling prophecies."
Deputy Premier Michael Ferguson wouldn't be drawn on whether parliament would return.
"The premier is taking a considered position on this," Mr Ferguson told reporters on Monday.
"The premier is very concerned two people who were elected as Liberals … have taken themselves to the cross bench."
Mr Ferguson said the current parliament wasn't what people voted for and the issue "may need to be resolved".
At Tasmania's next election, not due until mid-2025, parliament's lower house will increase from 25 to 35 members.
The Jacqui Lambie Network is running candidates in several electorates, while the Greens recently spruiked a door knocking blitz.
The Labor opposition has announced almost 30 candidates, while the Liberals have pre-selected 14 - including former senator Eric Abetz.
"Despite all the tough talk of an early election he’s come to the realisation that he doesn’t have enough candidates to fight an election," Labor MP Josh Willie said of Mr Rockliff.
But Mr Ferguson said Liberal pre-selections were progressing well.
Mr Rockliff's early poll threat came after Mr Tucker in January said he could pull his vote of confidence if the government did not comply with several motions passed by parliament.
Mr Tucker on Friday walked back the threat and said he and Ms Alexander expected further negotiations with the premier.
Ms Alexander said she had never threatened to pull her support and hoped the premier would govern full term.
