The Tasmanian Liberal government has vowed to persist with a push to introduce mandatory jail time for serious child sex offenders despite the bill being blocked by one of their own party.
Rogue Speaker Sue Hickey on Wednesday night crossed the Lower House floor, using her casting vote to stop the bill in its tracks.
Premier Will Hodgman told media he was disappointed Ms Hickey voted against the proposed reform, which the Liberals took to the last election.
"Protecting the most vulnerable people in our community has always been and will always be a centrepiece of this government's agenda," he said in parliament on Thursday.
"We will stand by it and we will continue to do all we can to better protect those in our community."
Mr Hodgman lashed Labor for also voting against the bill.
"They have let down and not stood beside the true victims," he said.
Ms Hickey said legal professionals had raised significant concerns about the proposed bill and that it could have unintended consequences detrimental to victims.
"Mandatory sentencing undermines the separation of powers that ensures the independence of the legal system," she said in a statement.
"Parliament should never makes laws on popular opinion, it should only be on informed advice."
Part of the bill, which was voted down by the Upper House in 2017, secured a minimum of four years' jail for adult offenders who rape a person aged under 17.
Ms Hickey last month voted against the state government to pass Australian-first legislation making gender optional on birth certificates.
She became Speaker last May by blindsiding the Liberals' nomination for the role and siding with Labor and the Greens.
Labor leader Rebecca White said Mr Hodgman had lost control of the government.
"In the last 12 months in the parliament they have lost numerous votes," she told reporters.
"It is quite clear now that they no longer have a majority."
Labor has put forward policy to increase the maximum penalty for child sexual abuse to life in jail rather than introduce mandatory sentences.
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