Victorian Industry Minister Wade Noonan has resigned from cabinet and will retire from politics at the next election, taking to nine the number of Labor MPs waving goodbye before the 2018 poll.
Mr Noonan will remain the member for Williamstown until the November 2018 election, but step down from cabinet, allowing someone new to get their head around the portfolio before the poll.
"After 10 years in public life, I'm satisfied that I've achieved everything that I set for myself. It's now time for new challenges and new opportunities beyond politics," Mr Noonan told reporters on Wednesday.
Premier Daniel Andrews watched on as Mr Noonan announced his departure, describing it as a "big loss".
"I'm proud of you, we're all proud of you and we're sorry that you're going, but we understand that sometimes it's just the right thing to do," the leader told his friend and colleague.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
Mr Noonan quits as minister for industry, employment and resources after 16 months in the role.
He became police minister in 2014 but took extended sick leave in February 2016, citing exposure to unspeakable crimes and traumatic events in his job.
"I'm in great physical and mental health and I think the break I took from parliament early last year has only served to make me stronger, it's certainly not a factor in this decision," Mr Noonan said.
He said he was looking forward to spending more time with his family, wife Julie and sons Will and Henry, as the political "lifestyle can be pretty demanding at times".
Former minister Jane Garrett recently announced she won't recontest her marginal seat of Brunswick and will instead seek preselection for the safe upper house Western Metropolitan region.
Mr Andrews would not comment on the battle for Brunswick or Northcote, where there is a by-election following the death of Labor's Fiona Richardson.
Both seats are under threat from the Greens.
"Our job is to give the people of Brunswick, the people of Northcote, the people of every one of the 88 districts of the the legislative assembly and each one of those upper house regions as well, a clear choice," he said.
DEPARTING VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT MPS
* Telmo Languiller
* Judith Graley
* Sharon Knight
* Hong Lim
* Jude Perera
* Geoff Howard
* Marsha Thomson
* Khalil Eideh
* Wade Noonan
