State Member for Euroa Steph Ryan has announced she will step down at the November election.
Ms Ryan, who has been Deputy Leader of the Victorian Nationals since being elected to the seat of Euroa in 2014, will step away from politics to focus on family.
“After a great deal of reflection, I have decided to step down as the Member for Euroa at the coming state election,” Ms Ryan said.
“With a little one at home and another on the way, it is time for me to seek a job that offers greater flexibility.
“Serving my community as the first member for Euroa has been the honour of a lifetime.
“The greatest pleasure of this job has been the opportunity it has afforded me to meet everyday people doing extraordinary things.
“Thanks to the talent and ingenuity of the people who call it home, our region’s future is bright.”
Ms Ryan has been an extremely popular local member, sweeping to victory in 2014 with just under 65 per cent of votes, and in 2018 with just over 65 per cent of votes.
“I am also immensely proud to have served as the deputy leader of The Nationals for the past eight years and to be the first woman in the party’s history to be elected to a leadership position, state or federal,” Ms Ryan said.
“I want to thank our leader Peter Walsh and my colleagues for their friendship and unwavering support over that time.
“I have always taken my duty to my electorate as my first priority. I believe our community deserves someone who can devote 150 per cent of their time and energy to representing them.
“In reality, that means someone who can give freely of weeknights and weekends and that, at this stage in my life, is not compatible with my wish to be more present for my family.
“I leave my role firm in the belief that The Nationals are as important to country communities today as they were 100 years ago.
“Country people need a party that works together as a team to represent the unique challenges we face.”
Ms Ryan said she would now work to do her bit to see a change of government in November.
“Over the next six months, I will continue to work tirelessly to see a new government led by Matthew Guy and Peter Walsh elected to ensure regional Victoria and my communities get their fair share,” she said.