A senior member of a leading national think tank said on Monday the 40 newcomers in the Legislative Council would need to get up to speed quickly and be ready for a heavy workload.

Lau Siu-kai, a consultant to the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies, told RTHK that Legco’s agenda was already packed even before the Tai Po fire sparked citywide concern over the rehabilitation of victims whose lives it ruined.

He cited major tasks ahead such as developing the Northern Metropolis, integrating with national development and driving the industrial transformation.

He said the new lawmakers should learn Legco's rules of procedure and start delivering as soon as possible.

“I hope they can handle all aspects of the work well," Lau said.

"While dealing with disaster relief and recovery, they must not neglect Hong Kong’s economic development and other improvements to people’s livelihoods.”

Commenting on a voter turnout of 31.9 percent, up 1.7 percentage points from the last election, Lau said many had expected voter enthusiasm to subside after the Tai Po fire.

However, he said the government’s handling of post-disaster relief, its care for victims, and its promises of future reforms before the polls might have won over some voters, making them more willing to cast ballots and contributing to the slight increase in turnout.