Veteran Liberal MP Philip Ruddock has announced his retirement from federal politics, after being announced as Special Envoy for Human Rights.

Key points: Mr Ruddock will retire at the next election

Mr Ruddock will retire at the next election He was appointed as Australia's first Special Envoy for Human Rights

He was appointed as Australia's first Special Envoy for Human Rights Liberals yet to appoint candidate for Mr Ruddock's seat of Berowra

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said Mr Ruddock's role would include the promotion of Australia's candidacy for membership of the Human Rights Council.

The former immigration minister has been under pressure to resign from his Sydney-based seat of Berowra to make way for new MPs.

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He has been in Parliament for more than four decades and will not seek re-endorsement ahead of the next election.

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"I am humbled to have enjoyed such strong support for my involvement in politics for over 42 years," he said.

"Nobody has a divine right to sit in the Parliament.

"My view has always been that I should only be there as long as I can make a difference."

Long-time party member and former Menzies Research Centre executive director, Julian Leeser, has been named as a possible replacement as candidate for the blue-ribbon seat, but Mr Ruddock did not endorse him on Monday.

"My view is that they should choose the best candidate who offers for pr-selection and that's always been my view. You should always go for the best," he said.

Speaking later to ABC's Lateline, Mr Ruddock called for a more competitive preselection process within the Liberal Party, even if the incumbent is forced out.

He said no MP should take their seat for granted.

"I don't think anybody has a right to hold a seat. But I think we have to choose people who are the right candidates for the right seats," he said.

Federal MPs Craig Kelly and Angus Taylor remain under pressure to hold on to their seats, despite personal assurances from the Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

Mr Ruddock said while he has "enormous respect" for both Mr Taylor and Mr Kelly, if a better candidate came along, "so be it".

Mr Ruddock was previously attorney-general, Indigenous affairs minister and immigration minister, and nominated counter-terrorism and family law changes as key achievements.

He has campaigned against the death penalty and chaired the human rights sub-committee of Parliament's joint foreign affairs committee.

Ms Bishop said Mr Ruddock would be Australia's first Special Envoy for Human Rights.

"Mr Ruddock will focus on advancing Australia's human rights priorities of good governance, freedom of expression, gender equality, the rights of Indigenous peoples, and national human rights institutions," she said in a statement.

"Mr Ruddock will actively promote Australia's candidacy for membership of the Human Rights Council for the 2018–20 term.

"He will represent Australia at international human rights events and advocate our HRC candidacy in selected countries."

Ms Bishop said his appointment was consistent with the practice of past governments in approving special envoys to support Australia's international campaigns.