Victorian parliamentary speaker Ken Smith should immediately resign from the chair now that he has announced he will not contest the next election, the state opposition says.
Mr Smith announced on Monday that he will retire from politics after a career of more than 25 years.
His retirement comes after a controversial 2013 when balance of power independent MP Geoff Shaw declared he no longer had confidence in the speaker.
The Labor opposition accused Mr Smith of bias and holding the chair without a majority and unsuccessfully tried to force a vote on his future.
Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews on Monday said Mr Smith was not a legitimate speaker and should resign.
He said the parliamentary Labor Party would support the deputy speaker, Liberal Christine Fyffe, to take up the position.
"The right thing to do by the Victorian parliament and therefore the people of this state is for Mr Smith to go as speaker," he told reporters.
"He ought to do that and if he won't do it Denis Napthine should make it very clear to him that he is withdrawing his support."
But government upper house leader Health Minister David Davis said while Mr Smith's future as speaker was a matter for the lower house, Mr Smith had done a good job.
"As I understand it he would continue on as speaker," he told reporters.
"I don't doubt that Ken has the support of the parliamentary party, Ken is someone who has contributed on a number of important levels."
Premier Denis Napthine said Mr Smith had been an outstanding advocate for his electorate.
"I would like to pay tribute to Ken Smith for his outstanding service to the people of Victoria as a local member for the electorates of South East Province and Bass," he said.
"I look forward to working with Ken as he continues to serve his community through to election day."
Statements from Dr Napthine and Mr Smith did not mention the MP's future as speaker.
Mr Smith said he made the decision to retire at the November election on the basis that he and his family had committed to more than 30 years of public service.
"It has been an honour and privilege to represent and serve firstly the people of South East Province and for the last 11 years as the member for Bass," he said in a statement.
Mr Smith thanked his family, colleagues and staff for their support.
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