Mr Noonan drew praise from his colleagues and mental health advocates after announcing last year he needed time off to deal with the mental strain of "the constant exposure to details of unspeakable crimes and traumatic events", which he said at the time "has taken an unexpected toll". But in announcing his resignation on Wednesday he said that episode played no part in his decision. "I'm in great physical and mental health and I think the break that I took from Parliament early last year has only served to make me stronger," he said. Mr Noonan said he would not seek preselection in his seat of Williamstown for next year's election. He noted the seat had been held by two former Labor premiers, Joan Kirner and Steve Bracks, and that this legacy created added expectation for all MPs who hold the seat.

"It served me well to have that expectation for myself, so there'll be plenty of interest in the next candidate for Williamstown," he said. He said he entered politics to help people, "to make a difference in the lives of others and to be a voice for those who needed to be heard". But after 10 years in public life, Mr Noonan, 46, said he was satisfied he had achieved his goals and it was time for new challenges and opportunities "beyond politics". He cited saving the Alcoa smelter in Portland from closure, a transfer scheme for Latrobe Valley workers at the shuttered Hazelwood power plant and a jobs program to help disadvantaged people as among the highlights of his parliamentary career. Mr Noonan thanked his staff and Premier Daniel Andrews but saved the strongest praise for his wife Julie and their sons whom he described as "my greatest inspiration".

The Premier commended Mr Noonan's contribution to public service, saying he "never lost sight of his Labor values". "Because of Wade's efforts for working people, more Victorians have found the security and dignity of a job and more businesses and industries across Victoria have a secure future," Mr Andrews said. Mr Noonan is the fourth minister in the Andrews government to step down mid-term, but the first to do so without an element of scandal or discord. Brunswick MP Jane Garrett resigned as emergency services minister last year after falling out with Mr Andrews over proposed changes to the CFA. Ms Garrett is seeking to switch from marginal Brunswick, which Labor could lose to the Greens next year, to a safe seat in the upper house.

Police Minister Lisa Neville criticised her decision on Wednesday, suggesting Ms Garrett was putting her own interests above the Brunswick community and the Labor party. "I'm a marginal seat member that has had very intensive campaigns, and I've won four of them," Ms Neville said. "I'm a very strong believer that you have an obligation to your community, to your seat, and to your party. I'm not a big fan of people deciding to move to safer seats." With Nino Bucci