Australia's last Liberal premier concedes the fate of his minority government is in the hands of the state's former attorney-general who is reconsidering her decision to quit parliament.
Elise Archer announced on Friday she was resigning after bullying allegations against her and claims she sent inappropriate text messages started to become public.
Ms Archer on Sunday indicated she was reconsidering her decision and was tossing up whether to sit in parliament as an independent.
The government holds just 10 of 25 seats in the lower house, making it extremely vulnerable to losing a vote of no confidence on the floor.
The Australian newspaper reports Ms Archer is open to supporting a vote of no confidence in the government if she stays as an independent.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff said Ms Archer should leave parliament if she was not going to provide a guaranteed vote of supply and confidence as an independent.
"(An early) election is really in Ms Archer's hands," he told ABC radio on Monday.
"Should she make the decision not to resign from parliament I would expect (her vote of) confidence and supply.
"Elise Archer was elected as a Liberal under our team."
Mr Rockliff also said it was not his intention to call an early poll, which is due in May 2025.
"There's too much to do. I'll consider my options in the best interests of getting things done," he added.
Mr Rockliff said he stood by his decision to ask Ms Archer to resign from cabinet on Friday.
"I knew some of the uncertainty that would cause ... I knew I would risk losing my premiership but it was the right call," he said.
"Culture has to change and it starts with me and it starts with the top."
Ms Archer claims an alleged message where she said she was "sick" of victim-survivors was taken out of context.
She also denies the bullying allegations, reportedly made by two of her current or former staff.
Tasmania is grappling with last week's release of the final report of a commission of inquiry into child sexual abuse which found grave failings in state institutions.
Mr Rockliff said he was receiving advice about whether to delay the resumption of parliament, which is due to next sit on October 17.
The Liberals have been in minority since May when John Tucker and Lara Alexander left the party to sit as independents.
Mr Tucker said he believed Ms Archer should remain in parliament and it would be a "big loss" if she left.
Australian Associated Press
