<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Former tennis pro and ex-state Liberal deputy leader Sam Groth has announced he will quit </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/victoria" rel="" target="" title="Victorian politics"><span>Victorian politics</span></a><span> next week, triggering a byelection in his seat of Nepean on the Mornington Peninsula just months out from the 2026 state election.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The first-term MP made the announcement this afternoon in a statement.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Next week I will resign from the Parliament of Victoria as the Member for Nepean to pursue other opportunities," Groth said.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/rba-february-2026-interest-rates-decision-what-this-means-mortgage-explained/2e9fa2e7-e7a6-4909-a7aa-4fdb9c626e5c" target="_blank"><strong><span>The RBA has hiked interest rates. So what does that mean for your mortgage?</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It has been an honour to serve the people of Nepean and I sincerely thank them for the trust they placed in me for the opportunity to represent our community.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I am very grateful to my staff for their professionalism, dedication and tireless work in supporting the people of Nepean."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Last month, the Nepean MP revealed he </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/sam-groth-deputy-liberal-leader-retirement/2cb14109-9da8-47da-882b-749002479d20" rel="" target="" title="would not contest this year's state election"><span>would not contest this year's state election</span></a><span>, citing party infighting and "public pressure" placed on his family.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/former-tennis-ace-sam-groth-to-exit-politics-next-week-triggering-byelection/13b4a51c-d232-44d2-b6c7-957b833ee963" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I wish (Opposition Leader) Jess (Wilson) and the Liberal team all the very best for the November election," he said today.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Most importantly, I thank my family, my wife Britt and our twin boys, for their unwavering love and support."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><span>More to come.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><strong><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>ticking this box here</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Sign up to</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></em></strong></a></li></ul></div></div>