FORMER premier Denis Napthine's 27 year parliamentary career is over.
The vet-turned politician on Monday officially announced his retirement from Victorian politics. He served as Victoria's 47th premier for 20 months following the resignation of Ted Baillieu in March 2013.
Dr Napthine said it had been "an absolute honour and privilege" to serve in the Victorian parliament serving the state and his local community.
"I bow out of parliamentary life with many happy memories, with lifelong friends and, hopefully, a record that says I made a difference to this state, which I love so much and have been proud and honoured to serve," Dr Napthine said.
First elected in 1988 as the member for Portland, in 2002 Dr Napthine won the new seat of South-West Coast.
He served as Minister for Youth and Community Services in Jeff Kennett's government and replaced him as leader of the Liberal Party after the shock 1999 election defeat.
In 2002, now Lord Mayor Robert Doyle rolled Dr Napthine for the party leadership and despite that setback he forged on with his parliamentary career and following the 2010 defeat of the Brumby government he was appointed Minister for Regional Cities, Racing, Ports and Major Projects.
His resignation will trigger a byelection in the seat of South-West Coast, which the Liberal party holds by 11 per cent.
It is also expected that former Transport Minister Terry Mulder will also retire. His seat of Polwarth is held by 10.6 per cent.
