Tasmania's Resources Minister Paul Harriss has announced his retirement from Parliament, less than half way into his first term in the Lower House and as a Minister.

Key points: Resources Minister Paul Harriss resigns less than half way into his first term 'to put family first'

Resources Minister Paul Harriss resigns less than half way into his first term 'to put family first' Mr Harriss denies he was pressured to resign

Mr Harriss denies he was pressured to resign Opposition Leader Bryan Green labels the move 'pathetic'

Mr Harriss said it was time to put his family first after 20 years of public service.

He left a safe seat as an independent member of the Upper House in the lead up to the 2014 state election to successfully vie for a seat in the Lower House as part of the incoming Liberal Government.

Less than two years later, Mr Harriss has decided to quit Parliament but said he had no regrets.

"In fact, the Premier asked me that very question last Friday and I said I would do it all again in a heartbeat because I wanted to see, when I spoke with Will Hodgman over two years ago, a better Tasmania than where we had been going for the previous four years," he said.

"It's time to spend some quality time with my family," he said, denying he was pressured into making the decision.

Mr Harriss leaves part-way through a restructure of Forestry Tasmania and as the search continues for a solution to the southern residues bottleneck.

"It's time to spend some quality time with my family," he said, denying he was pressured into making the decision.

"I approached [Premier] Will Hodgman after considering the decision with my family," he said.

Mr Harriss said he enjoyed "carrying the flag" for Tasmania's forestry and mining industries, but took particular pride in contributing to two achievements outside his portfolio.

"As I look back on public life, I perhaps draw most satisfaction from my contributions to two things in particular - decriminalisation of homosexuality and the handback of land to Tasmania's Aboriginal community," he said.

Mr Hodgman said he respected the decision of Mr Harriss and thanked him for his "tremendous contribution to the state".

"He has a sincere passion for improving the lives of Tasmanians, particularly those who live in regional areas, particularly those who work in our pillar industries like forestry, like mining, like aquaculture," he said.

Mr Hodgman described Mr Harriss as a champion for the resources industry.

"There are now strong signs of growth in the forestry industry," he said.

"He's also guided the mining industry through challenging and difficult circumstances."

The Premier will unveil a new-look Cabinet tomorrow.

Leaving post mid term 'pathetic': Green

Mr Harriss resigned from a safe Legislative Council seat to join the Lower House as a Liberal MP two years ago.

State Opposition Leader Bryan Green said he was amazed Mr Harriss chose to leave midway through his first term as Minister.

"It's just an amazing bail-out from what is a difficult job," he said.

"Resources has always been a tough position as a portfolio to have, but just to pack your bags like that just seems to me to be an easy out and is quite pathetic."

Mr Green said he could not find anything positive to say about Mr Harriss' 20 years in Parliament.

"Under normal circumstances I would, but on this occasion, no, I don't because Paul Harriss has been deceptive from day one," he said.

"He was a Liberal, an independent, then he showed his colours as a Liberal."

Greens welcome Harriss' departure

Tasmanian Greens leader Cassy O'Connor said the departure of Mr Harriss was "good news" as the Minister oversaw the repeal of the 2013 forestry peace deal.

The 2013 Tasmanian Forest Agreement, formed between government, forestry and environmentalist groups was designed to end years of conflict over logging.

The Hodgman Government dispensed with the bill in 2014, opening 400,000 hectares of native forest to future logging.

"He presided over the complete dismantling of the agreement all the while scapegoating conservationists and the Greens," Ms O'Connor said.

"Paul Harriss ripped up the peace deal but has failed to replace it with a credible alternative."