Tasmania's Upper House looks set to allow a hefty pay rise for the state's politicians to go through in what is expected to be a close-fought debate.

The Legislative Council is debating the Industrial Commission's ruling to give the state's 40 politicians a 10.5 per cent pay rise.

The Lower House has already knocked it back, instead supporting the Government's alternate proposal for a much more modest increase of 2.4 per cent.

But it appears likely to be a very different story in the Upper House.

Seven of 15 members contacted by the ABC said they supported the pay increase, five were against and two had yet to declare their hands.

One supporter was Independent MLC Robert Armstrong.

"It's been set by the independent arbitrator, not by politicians and it shouldn't be set by politicians," he said.

"Get it over and done with. I've been here for two years now and I think it's two or three times it's come to us already, so hopefully this will put an end to it."

Legislation put forward by the Government last year decreed both houses of Parliament must reject the commission's pay rise or it automatically flowed.

The Government has announced it will not support the pay rise, instead backing a 2.4 per cent increase.

Positions on 10.5% pay rise For Against Undecided Greg Hall (Ind) Craig Farrell (ALP) Rob Valentine (Ind) Tony Mulder (Ind) Leonie Hiscutt (Lib) Mike Gaffney (Ind) Ivan Dean (Ind) Vanessa Goodwin (Lib) Robert Armstrong (Ind) Rosemary Armitage (Ind) Kerry Finch (Ind) Josh Willie (ALP) Ruth Forrest (Ind) Tania Rattray (Ind)



Anger over Government's actions

An angry Robert Armstrong accused the Government of playing games and putting Upper House members in an awkward position.

"Why does the Government ask the independent tribunal to set it and then don't agree with it?" he asked.

"It shouldn't be put on to us."

Despite seven MLCs publicly stating their desire to allow the bigger pay rise, it will be a close vote.

In the event the vote is tied, Legislative Council president Jim Wilkinson will use his casting vote to let the pay rise flow.

The Government's move for the lesser pay boost coincided with its fight against the public service's push for a pay increase.

The Public Sector Union wants to enter into good-faith negotiations for a wage increase between 2.5 to 3 per cent.

The Government already shot down the proposal, saying a current two per cent cap will continue.