Victorian Liberal MP Ryan Smith is resigning from politics.Credit:ABC
Smith signalled his intention to run for the Liberal leadership after last year’s election in November,but eventually pulled out of the race to support unsuccessful candidateBrad Battin.
“After over 16 years serving as the Member for Warrandyte,and with a great deal of consideration,I have decided it is time to bring this chapter of my life to a close,” Smith said in a statement.
“I have been privileged to hold this role and believe that many who choose this career do so with their communities’ best interests in mind. However,amongst other reasons,I have become increasingly uncomfortable with the growing negative tone of politics,both internally and more broadly.”
The MP’s resignation will trigger a byelection and be a test of Opposition Leader John Pesutto’s leadership. The Liberals hold Warrandyte by a 4.2 per cent margin.
Pesutto addressed the media on Wednesday morning and said he learned of Smith’s resignation like the wider public,by reading his statement.
“ I think we all need to respect the way Ryan wanted to own the way he wanted to make these announcements,” he said.