Australia's only 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.
Tasmanian MP Elise Archer announced on Friday she was resigning after bullying allegations against her and claims she sent inappropriate messages started to become public.
Ms Archer on Sunday indicated she was reconsidering her decision and was tossing up whether to sit as an independent in state parliament.
Without her, 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.
Ms Archer is reportedly open to supporting a vote of no confidence in the government if she stays as an independent.
If the motion was successful, it could force an early election to be called.
"Ms Archer, really, it is in her hands. I don't want an election," Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff told reporters on Monday.
The premier said he had not spoken with Ms Archer at the weekend and had no idea when she would make a final call.
Ms Archer should leave parliament if she was not going to guarantee a vote of supply and confidence as an independent, he said.
Mr Rockliff stood by his decision to ask Ms Archer to resign from cabinet.
"I have made a difficult decision, I have worked with Elise for 13 years. I was aware of the consequences of (my) decision," he said.
Ms Archer claims an alleged message where she said she was "sick of victim-survivors" was taken out of context.
She 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 an 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.
If Ms Archer resigns, a recount in her seat of Clark will likely deliver a Liberal to parliament.
Political analyst Kevin Bonham said Mr Rockliff was in a "very awkward, very difficult" position.
"He's made his decision in regards to (Ms) Archer and now her response is no longer within his control," Dr Bonham told AAP.
"For the time being he apparently doesn't have the confidence of the parliament, nor an obvious path to reclaiming it unless (Ms) Archer resigns."
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.
Mr Rockliff on Monday announced Health Minister Guy Barnett would replace Ms Archer as attorney-general.
