Troy Grant spoke about the personal sacrifices he had made while in public office in a emotionally charged media conference in Dubbo on Friday. 

“I’m looking forward to being a private citizen but more importantly i’m looking forward to being a husband and a father,” he said. 

Mr Grant said he had doubts about contesting the next election for about four weeks. 

“The reality is that pre-selection’s have just opened, for the last four or so weeks I’ve had serious doubts, you always have doubts, you always question whether you want to go on.. but crunch time came.

“I revisited the conversation with my family and collectively we’ve decided for all the reasons i’ve explained it was time. 

You make plenty of sacrifices in public life, that’s just  a given.. I wasn’t there the day my daughter hurt herself when she was dancing at a community event. I wasn’t there the day my son kicked the winning goal in a soccer grand final and got man of the match.

“I remember those things, but I can’t remember why I wasn’t there. I can’t remember what was so important that I couldn't be there. So that’s a factor. Now it’s time to get back to my family as well.”

Troy Grant cited changes in the political landscape among the reasons he chose not to continue his political career.

“There was a time where we had a lot more respect for each other, the efforts of people were appreciated more, there was more gratitude in our community. Things have changed across the world in that regard. The toxicity that sits among some political people is just not an environment that I have any ambition to continue in either. 

“Its for all those reasons that I'm calling it a day,” he said.

Watch the media conference live. Story continues after video. 

The Nationals party MP said being deputy premier was not a career highlight. 

“It’s a remarkable privilege to be asked by your peers to represent the party.. I’m enormously proud. But I can tell you, leadership of a political party is one of the lousiest jobs you can ever have, it’s tough, it’s uncompromising.

“I was very pleased and glad to give that role up. It was draining beyond belief. It was very unrewarding from a lot of angles.

“At end of the day it's a tough gig, it's not one that I missed then and certainly don’t miss now.”

Mr Grant said he had not made any plans beyond March. 

“I’ve got no idea, I haven’t made any decisions about the workforce. I’ve got a daughter at uni and a son doing the HSC, I wanted to make this decision clear of any potential opportunities that the grass was greener on the other side.