Federal Labor MP says Tas poll a challenge

A senior federal Labor frontbencher believes the upcoming Tasmanian state election will be a challenge for his party to win given that it has only seven seats in the parliament at the moment.

"But if the New Zealand election last year is any guide, anything can happen when an election is called," Jason Clare told ABC television on Sunday.

Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgman is expected to call the state election for March 3 on Sunday.