Former Victorian government minister and AFL footballer Justin Madden will quit politics at the next state election.

Mr Madden says he will immediately step down from the opposition frontbench, where he is spokesman for small business, tourism, major events and innovation.

The Essendon MP has spent most of his 15 years in parliament in the upper house, until he switched to the lower house at the last election.

Mr Madden said stepping down from the frontbench would allow Labor leader Daniel Andrews to appoint a replacement and help the renewal of the party before the November 2014 election.

“It is the greatest of privileges to serve in public office and in particular to represent the local community in which one lives and I shall be ever grateful for being granted such an honour,” he said in a statement on Friday.

“Whilst I have no expectations of what I may do beyond politics, it is my intention to maintain involvement in the other areas of my life that I am experienced in and passionate about.”

As planning minister under the previous Brumby Labor government, Mr Madden came under fire over a planned sham public consultation process concerning the Windsor Hotel redevelopment.

He told ABC radio he hoped he would be remembered for more than that incident – such as for achievements including delivering the 2006 Commonwealth Games, being sports minister and, as planning minister, helping people with housing.