Tasmania's Liberal party has struck a deal with an incumbent independent MP as it looks to shore up numbers ahead of the May 1 state election.
Premier Peter Gutwein on Sunday planned to confirm the party's full list of candidates as he embarks on a five-week campaign for re-election.
Madeleine Ogilvie has been in and out of parliament since 2014, initially representing Labor and then as an independent, most recently in the 25-seat lower house.
"I've given this decision very careful consideration as I have enjoyed delivering ... as an independent," Ms Ogilvie posted on Facebook on Sunday.
"I feel that the fair thing to do is to run and seek to win a seat as a Liberal candidate, so the people of (my electorate) Clark can make their own decisions about who they want in parliament."
Mr Gutwein has confirmed that all 12 incumbent Liberal MPs from the lower house will recontest the upcoming poll and said he would announce "exciting new talent" on Sunday.
Missing from the Liberal line-up will be outspoken Speaker Sue Hickey who quit the party last week, plunging the government into minority and prompting the calling of the election, which was not due for more than a year.
Labor holds nine seats in the lower house, the Greens two, plus Ms Hickey and Ms Ogilvie.
Opposition Leader Rebecca White says Labor is ready for the election battle and will focus on priority issues including housing, health and infrastructure.
And on Sunday she took a swipe at Mr Gutwein for calling a mid-pandemic election.
"Holding an election during the ongoing management of COVID will bring some challenges and it is important Tasmania's focus firmly remains on protecting our community and businesses from another outbreak," she said, calling for a bipartisan coronavirus management group.
