The deputy premier of Western Australia will step down in mid-February and one colleague has already flagged interest in the role.
Kim Hames, who is also minister for health and tourism, is not expected to leave the ministry until a cabinet reshuffle about a year prior to the March 2017 state election.
Dr Hames told reporters on Thursday he made the decision mid-2014 after discussions with Liberal state director Ben Morton.
"(We discussed) what is the time period a new deputy premier should have in order to lead the team into the next election and we formed the view that the best time was early next year," he said.
Police minister Liza Harvey has signalled her interest in the role but said it would have to be discussed in the party room.
"There is a process that needs to be followed here and I think we need to respect that process," she said.
Dr Hames refused to anoint a successor, but said he had "a lot of time" for Ms Harvey.
"I think she would be an excellent person for the job, but I don't want to predicate who else might nominate and what the party room might decide," he said.
There has been speculation others may be interested, including treasurer Mike Nahan and corrective services minister Joe Francis, but neither has given an indication of their intentions.
Dr Hames said he loved his job but wanted to walk away with dignity.
"There's tough times in there, there's hard times, you get attacked at all quarters, but at the end of the day you're making decisions about things that change people's lives," he said.
Opposition health spokesman Roger Cook said there was no need for Dr Hames to do a "victory lap" and he could stand down now.
Dr Hames, who previously announced he would retire from politics at the next poll, has held the deputy position since the 2008 election.
The 62-year-old lost the tourism portfolio in July 2013 after claiming country accommodation allowances he was not entitled to, but regained the portfolio in December last year.
As health minister, Dr Hames has overseen the development of big projects including Fiona Stanley Hospital and the Perth Children's Hospital.
But he has been criticised by the opposition, which has repeatedly called for his resignation over ongoing problems at Fiona Stanley Hospital.
His most recent controversy came during a sitting of parliament when Dr Hames made an obscene hand gesture while outspoken Liberal backbencher Rob Johnson was commenting on the health portfolio.
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