By Mikayla van Loon, with AAP
The Warrandyte electoral district will be heading back to the polls next month with the official stepping down of MP Ryan Smith on Friday 7 July.
Having held the Liberal seat for 16 years, Mr Smith announced his intention to retire from politics on 31 May.
Warrandyte covers the electoral boundaries of Chirnside Park, Wonga Park, Ringwood North, Doncaster East, Warranwood, Donvale, Park Orchards, Warrandyte, Warrandyte South and North Warrandyte.
“It has been the ultimate privilege to serve and represent the communities of the Warrandyte Electorate in the Victorian Parliament as your local member,” Mr Smith said in May.
Taking to social media on Friday for his final day, Mr Smith said “That’s it folks! Thank you, it’s been an honour” with an image of a cleared out office.
Lower house speaker Maree Edwards confirmed she received Mr Smith’s official resignation on Friday.
A writ for a by-election will be issued for the seat of Warrandyte on August 26.
“I thank Mr Smith for his contribution to the parliament over the past 16 years and wish him well with his next steps,” Ms Edwards said.
The Victorian Liberals have preselected former Box Hill candidate and daughter of Malaysian-Chinese migrants Nicole Ta-Ei Werner to run for the seat in Melbourne’s outer northeast.
In a recorded statement, Ms Werner thanked Mr Smith for his dedication to the community.
If successful, Ms Werner would become the 10th woman in the state Liberals’ 30-member party room following outspoken MP Moira Deeming’s expulsion after she participated in an anti-trans rights rally attended by neo-Nazis.
Held by the Liberals on a 4.2 per cent margin, the by-election could prove a hurdle for opposition leader John Pesutto if Labor decides to contest it.
Labor hasn’t won one since taking the seat of Benalla from the Nationals in 2000.
The Greens have put forward Deputy Mayor of Manningham City Council Tomas Lightbody who grew up in Donvale and has been a member of the council since 2020.
The winner is expected to be sworn in during the first sitting week of October.
