Tuck calls time

Well known WA political identity Terry "Tuck" Waldron will step down from his Sport and Recreation, and Racing and Gaming ministerial portfolios at the end of the month.

Mr Waldron, who holds the seat of Wagin in the Great Southern, has announced he will stay on as local member but would not re-contest the seat at the 2017 State election.

Mr Waldron holds what is considered the safest seat in WA, and at the last election, won a personal vote of almost 64 per cent.

The Great Southern local, who was raised on a farm at Jingalup, near Kojonup, was elected to State Parliament in 2001.

He served as deputy leader of the National Party under both Max Trenorden and Brendon Grylls until relinquishing the position in March last year to current Nationals leader Terry Redman.

In his retirement announcement, Mr Waldron likened his political career to a sporting career, saying he knew he could no longer give his complete commitment to a ministerial role.

"It's like when I played footy and when I played cricket, you just sort of know when the time is right, and for me, I've given 110 per cent but I don't know whether I could continue to do that, and that tells me that it's a good time for myself to stand down and also that it's the right time for the Government and my colleagues," he said.

"The hardest thing I found about being Minister, was the fact I was used to being around my electorate regularly, and it's hard to do that as a Minister so I'm looking forward to the next two and a quarter years.

"The people of my electorate have been very loyal to me and I'm re-enthused about getting back to my local area," he said.

Looking back over his ministerial career, Mr Waldron said his involvement in Royalties for Regions had been one of the stand-out highlights.

"Royalties for Regions has fundamentally changed country WA, and I'm very proud of that," he said.

Nationals WA President Colin de Grussa said Mr Waldron was an exceptional Member of Parliament and an even greater local champion who always stood up for his constituents.

"Tuck quickly left his mark on WA politics when contesting Wagin in 2001, taking almost 28 per cent of the primary vote and winning the seat convincingly in the two-candidate preferred race," he said.

"His popularity grew significantly, reflected in his outstanding election performances which resulted in Wagin being won by the biggest margin of any seat in WA."

Mr de Grussa said the party would begin an internal process to ensure The Nationals WA fielded a strong candidate at the next election.

Mr Waldron thanked his wife and four daughters for their support.

"My wife and four daughters have been the key, you can't do these jobs without great support, and I've had fantastic support," he said.

"I feel blessed to have had this opportunity, it's been a great ride, thank you."