State cabinet minister Peter Hall is resigning from State Parliament almost nine months early ahead of a likely cabinet reshuffle next week.

The Age has confirmed that Mr Hall – who is leader of the Nationals in the upper house and the minister for higher education – will deliver his valedictory speech to parliament on Thursday, having decided to leave politics.

Higher Education Minister Peter Hall to resign. Credit:Wayne Taylor

In a statement to The Age, Mr Hall said: "It has been an honour and a privilege to be both an MP and a Minister in the Victorian Parliament. Now is the right time for me to step aside and provide an opportunity for the next generation of Nationals to showcase their talents and take this great government into the next election."

Mr Hall's abrupt departure will create a further headache for Premier Denis Napthine, who is struggling to find a seat for Mary Wooldridge, after the cabinet minister lost a bitter preselection battle for the plum seat of Kew.