Daniel Andrews' Labor government has lost a fifth member in just three days with the announcement John Eren won't be contesting the next election.
The Victorian premier announced the news on Friday afternoon and said he was 'grateful' for the friendship he shared with Mr Eren, who was the longtime member for Lara, north-east of Geelong.
'I wish John and his family the very best for the future. I'm grateful for his friendship and support, just as I'm grateful for his contribution to the Parliament, the Government and his local community,' Mr Andrews said.
'I know we'll keep seeing him live his values for years to come.'
Mr Eren had worked in parliament for close to 20 years and was a former cabinet minister.
The Victorian Labor Party has been thrown into disarray after five parliamentarians threw in the towel this week (pictured, Premier Daniel Andrews alongside local ministers)
The MP said that having been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease as well as the pressure of the pandemic, now was the right time to resign from politics.
'It has been two years since I was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. This diagnosis along with challenges brought about by the Covid pandemic has made me place a greater focus on my health and well-being and that of my family and friends, to value the ability to spend quality time with them,' Mr Eren said.
'After thinking about my future as time moves on and following discussions with my family, it was with sadness that I today informed the Premier of my decision to not contest the 2022 State Election.
'When we come to the end of this term of Parliament in about twelve months I feel that will be the time for me to step away and spend my time pursuing other things.'
Earlier on Thursday, Mr Andrews announced Planning Minister Richard Wynne would not be contesting the next election.
Mr Wynne issued a statement thanking his family and his political party for their support over the years.
'I'm proud to be a part of this socially progressive, reforming government - but I am focusing on the next 12 months,' the minister said.
'If you believe in social progress, there is always more work to be done.'
It comes hot on the heels of former Attorney-General and Altona MP Jill Hennessy, Yan Yean MP Danielle Green and Ringwood MP Dustin Halse announcing they wouldn't seek re-election.
Mr Andrews on Thursday announced the fourth MP, Planning Minister Richard Wynne (pictured), would not be contesting the next election on Thursday
Others may not seek re-election, with Broadmeadows MP Frank Maguire and Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan rumoured to be considering their futures, the Herald Sun reports.
Mr Donnellan quit the cabinet in October after an anti-corruption hearing heard claims he paid for party membership fees on behalf of others as part of a branch-stacking operation.
The place of former ministers Marlene Kairouz and Robin Scott, who both featured in anticorruption hearings into taxpayer-funded staff, also remains up in the air.
Labor MPs have been asked to reveal their plans to run by the end of the week, with the national executive to decide on candidates in both houses by December 3.
The exodus has raised fears Labor could lose their comfortable majority -
