Victorian Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky is to quit politics, citing significant health problems in her family.

An emotional Ms Kosky called a press conference in Melbourne at 11am to announce her intention to leave parliament immediately, forcing a by-election that will test the State Government's hold on power before November's election.



With trembling voice, Ms Kosky said she first contemplated quitting to devote more time to her family during a week's holiday this month.

The Altona MP is married with two children, 14 and 16. She would not go into details about the family health issues but said the reasons behind her decision were particular to her and she encouraged all women to enter public life.

