Attorney-general calls time on long political career

The Redcliffe MP will remain as attorney-general until the October 26 poll, avoiding a by-election.

Ms D'Ath told reporters she called Ms Palaszczuk to share her news, saying she missed her close friend dearly.

But she said the former leader's shock resignation in December did not play a part in her decision.

"I thank her immensely for her leadership and being such a great mentor and supporter of me but not at all," Ms D'Ath said on Thursday.

"The current premier Steven Miles has been just as supportive ... this isn't a decision about who is the leader or any changes, this is a personal decision."

Ms D'Ath said there was also "no link" with Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll's decision on Tuesday to stand down on March 1 amid an outcry over youth crime and justice reforms.

Instead, the attorney-general had a milestone in mind when she decided to draw the curtain on a political career spanning almost 20 years.

The date of her announcement coincided with the 10th anniversary of her Redcliffe by-election win.

A federal Labor MP for Petrie before claiming the state seat of Redcliffe in 2014, Ms D'Ath had endured months of speculation about her future.

She had repeatedly denied that she was leaving when asked by reporters before Thursday's announcement.

But Ms D'Ath revealed she had mulled over her future during the festive season, her first end-of-year break since helping lead the COVID-19 response as health minister.

She returned to her role as attorney-general in Ms Palaszczuk's May 2023 ministerial reshuffle, losing the health portfolio.

"My decision to not recontest is based on many considerations but not least that it is time to try to find more balance in my life, to allow myself to look after me, after what will almost be 17 years of serving the people of Queensland," Ms D'Ath posted on Facebook.

"I believe it is better to leave politics when people are still asking me to stay, rather than telling me to go.

Yvette D'Ath has paid thanks to former premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS)

"This decision has not been made lightly and comes with some sorrow but also excitement about what journey I may embark on next."

She also looked forward to seeing her children - who were four and six when she started her career - "make their own way in this world" now they are 21 and 23.

"I've sacrificed and my family has sacrificed a lot. My kids spent their whole childhood watching me go to schools of other kids," Ms D'Ath said.

Premier Steven Miles said Ms D'Ath been discussing her future with him for weeks.

He was keen for Ms D'Ath to remain in the ministry until the state election, saying it was not a time for transition.

Ms D'Ath is overseeing a major DNA inquiry's recommendations, a sexual consent law overhaul as well as coercive control and sex-work decriminalisation legislation.

"There is a lot of work underway in the attorney's portfolio, and with eight months it would be very difficult for somebody to get across that work and make sure that it landed in time," Mr Miles said.

"It's entirely appropriate that Yvette continues to deliver on those commitments."

Ms D'Ath wouldn't speculate on her replacement.

"We've got an election to win first," she said.