Mr Seeney served as deputy in Campbell Newman's government. Credit:Glenn Hunt Mr Seeney said being away from home, driving 100,000 kilometres a year and working every weekend was an accepted part of life for him and his "long-suffering wife Therese". He said the Queensland Redistribution Commission's proposal made his seat of Callide "bigger and better". "The recent redistribution has produced a number of surprises, and like many commentators, I have been surprised to see the electorate of Callide made bigger and better than it previously was," Mr Seeney said. His electorate will add towns such as Miles, Chinchilla and Jandowae.

Jeff Seeney previously believed his talents were languishing on the opposition backbench. Credit:Glenn Hunt "The expansion of the Callide electorate presents an appropriate time, I believe, for me to consider a change of role and to allow one of the many capable young LNP people living in the new electorate to come forward and take over my current role in this house." Mr Seeney said he would not be seeking re-election at the next Queensland election. Instead, he said he would be seeking to live a "more normal life". "And pursue some opportunities that are available to me in the corporate world," Mr Seeney said.

"Hopefully pursuing a more normal life will also allow me to aspire to be the best granddad in the world." Mr Seeney said it would allow him to give his grandchildren – Olivia, 2, Theo, 2 months old, Ivy, two weeks old – more time and attention in the next 20 years "than I've been able to give my own kids". He said he would do everything he could to support Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls until the next state election. "[He] has long since disproved the rule that you can't have friends in politics," he said. "I have been lucky enough to experience the highs and the lows of this place with the greatest mate that I have ever known by my side."

The next state election is due to be held by May 2018 but is widely tipped to be held later this year. MPs immediately paid tribute to Mr Seeney's contribution to politics in Queensland. Mr Nicholls said Queensland would lose a "great warrior, a gentle giant and a passionate advocate for regional and rural Queensland". "Since I first entered the Parliament, Jeff Seeney has been both a mentor and my great friend," Mr Nicholls said. Labor member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert said it would not be a surprise to anyone that Mr Seeney had several differences to those on the other side of the house.

"But I think it's important that we just pay tribute to the contribution that he has made and wish him all the best in his new life as granddad Jeff," Ms Gilbert said. Member for Beaudesert Jon Krause said Mr Seeney had been a "large figure" in Queensland politics. "We will miss him in this place," Mr Krause said. Member for Currumbin Jann Stuckey described Mr Seeney as a "true conservative warrior". "And a very strong advocate for the people of Callide and rural Queensland," Ms Stuckey said.

"This place won't be the same without you but I'm sure you'll make your mark somewhere else." LNP president Gary Spence said Mr Seeney had been a force in Queensland politics. "Always one to stand up for what he believes, Jeff has had a powerful voice, particularly for regional Queensland," Mr Spence said. Mr Seeney was elected with the Nationals at the 1998 election and has led the opposition at times.

He was the deputy premier under former premier Campbell Newman. Previously Mr Nicholls served on the Monto Shire Council from 1992 to 1998. Mr Seeney joins Speaker Peter Wellington, LNP member for Lockyer Ian Rickuss and LNP member for Southern Downs Lawrence Springborg in announcing they will retire at the next election.