Ryan thinks Vic Speaker will keep job

Victoria's acting premier says he expects Speaker Ken Smith to be in the chair when parliament resumes, despite announcing he will not contest the next election.

Mr Smith announced on Monday he will retire from politics, leading to opposition calls for him to resign immediately.

But Acting Premier Peter Ryan said he expects Mr Smith will remain Speaker.

"I have no reason to think that Ken Smith will not be in the Speaker's chair when parliament resumes on the fourth of February this year," he told reporters on Tuesday.

"I think it is appropriate that while he is appointed the Speaker of the parliament that he continues in that role."

Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews is calling on Mr Smith to resign immediately saying he is not a legitimate Speaker because he no longer has majority support.

Independent MP Geoff Shaw, who holds the balance of power in the parliament, declared last year he no longer had confidence in the Speaker.

Mr Andrews said on Monday the opposition would back deputy Speaker, Liberal Christine Fyffe, to take up the position.