Nationals North West Central MP Vince Catania shocked the political landscape by announcing his retirement from politics after 17 years.

He told Liam Bartlett on 6PR Mornings it was time to exit politics so he could spend more time with his family and five teenage kids.

"It's a sad day but an exciting door opens, whatever it brings into the future, a new chapter to my life," he told Bartlett.

The popular MP exited with dignity on Friday, refusing to respond to criticism of his loyalty from Labor's Education Minister Sue Ellery today.

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