State politics: Bill Tilley to retire at next Victorian election in 2026

With a veteran MP stepping down for health reasons, the Liberal Party faces a pressing need to find strong candidates for federal and state elections.

The Liberal Party is on the hunt for candidates to contest the next federal and state elections following the decision by long-serving state MP Bill Tilley not to contest the next Victorian poll.

Mr Tilley, who turns 61 later this month, was diagnosed with leukaemia late last year, but has vowed to see out the remainder of his term as the member for the North East seat of Benambra.

He has had a low profile in the electorate in recent months, but plans to return in a full-time capacity in May.

“My absolute commitment is here, there’s not going to be a by-election,” he told media on Wednesday.

“I’m here, I’m not going anywhere. And I’m going to keep serving this community until November 2026.”

Bill Tilley has been the member for Benambra since 2006.

Mr Tilley was first elected in 2006 with his two toughest elections being the last two when he narrowly beat independent Jacqui Hawkins, a former staff member in the office of ex-Indi federal MP, Cathy McGowan.

A more pressing priority for northeast Liberals is finding a candidate for the next federal election due next year.

The Liberals lost the seat of Indi to Ms McGowan in 2013 and her replacement after two terms, Helen Haines, has confirmed she will seek a third term in Canberra.

Ms Haines tightened her stranglehold on Indi two years ago and presently holds the seat on a margin of 9.1 per cent.

Benambra MP Bill Tilley, left, and former Victorian Opposition leader Matthew Guy in the lead-up to the last state election. Picture: Jason Robins

The current Wodonga mayor Ron Mildren and his son Jacob, who previously worked for Liberal Senator Jane Hume, could be in the preselection mix for either Indi or Benambra.

Labor is not expected to contest Benambra given the widespread community angst towards the decision to commit to an upgrade of the existing Albury hospital rather than bankroll a greenfield development.