The Cootamundra MP and former Minister for Primary Industries released a statement late on Monday afternoon saying she felt it was time to move on to something new.

“I have made the very difficult decision to retire from State Parliament after eighteen-and-a-half years representing the electorates of both Burrinjuck and Cootamundra,” she said.

“It has been an absolute privilege to have served constituents in the NSW Legislative Assembly.”

During her career in State Parliament, Ms Hodgkinson served four years in the NSW Cabinet as the Minister for Small Business, and as the first female Minister for Primary Industries.

She also served time in Government as Assistant Minister for Tourism and Major Events, Parliamentary Secretary for Southern NSW and Committee Chairman, and eight years in the Shadow Cabinet.

Ms Hodgkinson won the seat of Burrinjuck in 1999 - a seat that had never previously been held by The Nationals, and did so again in 2003, 2007 and 2011, and the newly formed seat of Cootamundra at the 2015 state election with around a 20 per cent majority.

Ms Hodgkinson said she will be forever grateful for the support afforded to her by her constituents and grass-roots members of The Nationals since first running for office in 1996.

“My decision is not one based on any single electorate issue, simply it is a ‘length of service’ decision,” she said.

“It's time to move on to something new. 

“I look forward to spending more time with my family and engaging in opportunities that may arise within the corporate sector.”