Tasmania's most senior Liberal in Canberra, Tourism Minister Richard Colbeck, has been relegated to fifth spot on the party's state Senate ticket, with conservative power broker Eric Abetz at number one.

Key points: Senator Colbeck locked into fifth on the state Liberal Senate ticket

Senator Colbeck locked into fifth on the state Liberal Senate ticket Tasmanian Liberal selectors put Eric Abetz in first, and Stephen Parry in second

Tasmanian Liberal selectors put Eric Abetz in first, and Stephen Parry in second Senator Colbeck did not publicly back Tony Abbott in the leadership spill

The Liberal Party's State president confirmed this afternoon the Senate ticket would remain what preselectors voted for.

Preselectors have recommended Senator Colbeck be slotted into fifth on the party's Senate ticket, ahead of John Tucker from Break O'Day Council in Tasmania's north-east.

Senator Colbeck topped the ticket for the half-Senate at the party's last preselection.

Tony Abbott faithful and former employment minister Senator Abetz is now number one, ahead of president of the Senate, Stephen Parry, at number two.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the issues were not a federal matter.

"The Liberal Party is a grassroots political organisation, and decisions about preselections are taken by the members in a grassroots and democratic way," he said.

Senator Parry said it was inappropriate to make any comment at this stage.

Newcomer Jonathan Duniam is number three, and chief government whip in the Senate, David Bushby, is fourth.

The Tasmanian Liberal Party selection committee made the recommendations on the grounds of a double dissolution election.

Senator Colbeck was Tasmania's only federal representative who did not publicly back Mr Abbott in last year's leadership spill.

In a statement Senator Abetz said the Senate team would work hand in glove with the "three amigos" — Lower House MPs Eric Hutchinson, Andrew Nikolic and Brett Whiteley.

"A re-elected Turnbull Liberal Government … would be in an even stronger position to advance Tasmania's interests — for starters, the Senate could pass Coastal Shipping Reform which would mean more jobs in Tasmania," he said.

Tasmanian Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the parliamentary Liberal Party did not have any involvement in preselection.

"At the end of the day this is a democratic process that the party membership has been involvement in," he said.

"Those on the selection committee felt that the ticket as selected would be a very strong ticket to represent Tasmania should we have a double dissolution."

He denied the party was divided.

Senate ticket selection shows 'rift': analyst

Political analyst Kevin Bonham said the move pointed to an internal rift within the party.

"It does sound like the Tasmanian party is in conflict with the federal party, no matter what some of the people involved may say otherwise," he said.

"It's interesting that the Liberal pre-selectors seem to have such faith in Senator Abetz when he is such a contentious character in the political community.

"It does seem that Senator Colbeck has been punished for being too moderate."

He said being placed fifth on the ticket was unsafe for Senator Colbeck.

"Usually, if you look at the Liberal's Senate vote, usually their Senate vote would translate to five quotas as a double dissolution comfortably," he said.

"But in 2010 they would have only won four seats, and that was even before the rise of Jacquie Lambie, who must be taking some votes away from them."