Australia's third smallest jurisdiction has flagged selling state-government-owned entities to help pay off growing budget debt.
Tasmania's minority Liberal government on Tuesday pledged to undertake a detailed assessment of the benefits of privatising some assets.
The move comes two days after the government announced a hiring freeze within the state public service until the state budget on May 29.
The island state was free of net debt when the Liberals came to power in 2014, but the figure is forecast to reach almost $10 billion by 2027/28.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff has cited COVID-19 and payouts and reform stemming from an inquiry into institutionalised child sexual abuse as reasons for the blowout.
Tasmania's Motor Accidents Insurance Board, bus operator Metro, Momentum Energy and the Land Titles Office would be assessed for potential sale, Mr Rockliff said.
He said a 99-year lease for power provider TasNetworks was on the table, meaning ownership would stay public but private expertise would be "brought in".
"I know some will say these organisations return dividends to the Tasmanian government. That’s a fair point," Mr Rockliff told parliament.
"But ... if they provide a better outcome for Tasmanians, then why keep them under government ownership?"
Hydro Tasmania would never be sold, Mr Rockliff said, while he didn't speak to the future of ferry operator TT-Line or TasPorts which have been under fire amid a Bass Strait ferry saga.
The two state-owned entities have been at loggerheads after it was revealed a port for new Spirit of Tasmania ships wouldn't be finished in time for their arrival.
"You only need to look at what has happened to the Spirits to ask these questions (about state-owned sales)," Mr Rockliff said.
"These measures would benefit the budget bottom line, they will pay down debt.
"It will help pave a sensible way to surplus without raising taxes."
Independents Rebekah Pentland and Miriam Beswick, whose votes help prop up the government, said any privatisation must be strategic.
"Selling off assets can’t be a quick cash grab. We need to get this right because once they’re gone, they’re gone," Ms Beswick said.
"We’ll be holding the premier to his promise that any sale will come with overwhelming public benefit."
Labor MP Josh Willie said Mr Rockliff's move wasn't the right answer and would lead to higher power bills, car registrations and public transport fares.
Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff said the Liberals were lurching to the political right and her party would fight tooth and nail to make sure they didn't get their way.
