Queensland Speaker Peter Wellington has announced he will not contest the next state election.
The independent member for Nicklin said he had elderly parents who "in the coming years will need my help".
![Speaker Peter Wellington has announced his retirement.](/web/20170216173907im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/8/p/f/j/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.guevhx.png/1487239983350.jpg)
"For this reason I too will not be standing at the next election as a candidate," Mr Wellington said.
"It's been a real honour to be your Speaker, and member of state Parliament.
"None of this would have ever been possible without the tireless support of my wife Jenny.
"I look forward to continuing to be your Speaker if that's the will of the chamber and I look forward to continuing to fight for my constituents until the next election."
Mr Wellington made the comments moments before Parliament adjourned on Thursday night.
His support to the Palaszczuk government has been crucial in getting legislation passed.
Mr Wellington won his seat at the 1998 election and was the first independent Speaker of the Queensland Parliament, being appointed after the 2015 election.
He also delivered Peter Beattie a minority government in 1998.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk praised Mr Wellington after he announced his decision in Parliament.
"No independent member of Parliament has made a bigger contribution to Queensland than the member for Nicklin Peter Wellington," Ms Palaszczuk said.
"He has great respect for the democratic and parliamentary process, and importantly he encouraged others to do the same."
Ms Palaszczuk said Mr Wellington had explained his family reasons behind the decision to not recontest the next state election.
"I thank him for that," she said.
"I respect his decision and I look forward to continuing to work with him as Speaker and member for Nicklin over the next 12 months."
The next election is due to be held by May 2018 but is widely tipped to be held in the second half of 2017.
.@pwellingtonmp Thank you for your service, integrity & determination to speak truth to power. All the best for post-parliament life!
— Jackie Trad (@jackietrad) February 16, 2017
LNP Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls also wished Mr Wellington the best.
"Regardless of political allegiances, public office is tough on all elected representatives and their families," Mr Nicholls said.
Mr Wellington's retirement will leave a void in his seat, which he would have likely comfortably won at the next election.
The electorate was previously held by the Nationals and Liberals, who will probably hope to win it back, but One Nation is also due to field a candidate in the seat.
LNP member for Lockyer Ian Rickuss has also announced he will retire at the next state election, along with member for Southern Downs Lawrence Springborg, the three-time leader of the LNP, who played a leading role in the state merger of the Liberals and the Nationals.
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