Mr Brooks announced his resignation from parliament on Monday morning on the Tasmania Talks radio show, saying the decision was based on medical advice.

Mr Brooks had been on sick leave since late last year, citing health reasons.

In November, an Integrity Commission report found he deleted emails which could damage him politically from a business account.

Mr Brooks quit as resources minister in mid-2016 after denying in budget estimates three times he had used the business account, before correcting the record.

Mrs Rylah confirmed on Monday she would nominate for the recount of votes to replace Mr Brooks.

Mrs Rylah signalled federal Labor and the Greens were in for a fight if efforts were made to revive the Tasmanian forest “peace deal,” which she said had destroyed jobs, businesses and families.

“It threatens the fabric of our communities,” she said.

”I will fight really strongly and loudly for Braddon and for the people so they don’t have a loss of opportunity. 

“My colleagues have done a great job.

“The Tasmanian economy is doing really well, but the threat of going back to the forest wars and the destruction of regional towns and regional businesses really distresses me.”

She said she believed she learned a lot during her term in parliament.

” ... having had the 12 months or thereabouts to reflect, I think a strong voice is needed and we need the full-time contribution of all the Liberal members for Braddon,” she said.

“I am a committed person who gives at least 100 per cent to a role or a task I’ve got to do and I intend to do that.”

She said deciding to resign must have been tough for Mr Brooks.

She said she acknowledged “his contribution over many issues over his nine years of service” .

“ … I feel for Adam in these circumstances and wish him all the very best.”

Asked about a potential ministry in a future reshuffle, Mrs Rylah said it would be Premier Will Hodgman’s call.

“My understanding is it would be reasonable that I would be considered,” she said.

Mr Brooks said he was saddened about resigning and he loved being an MP.

“I can’t at the moment give 100 per cent and that’s based on several factors, including my personal health and circumstances,” he said.

“I was hopeful I’d be right and ready to roll by about now, but I’m not.

“The people of Braddon come first.

“I serve at their pleasure.

“If I can’t do it 100 per cent, i need to step aside.”

He did not rule out a potential political comeback at some stage.

“We’re not going to rule anything in or out,” he said.

“My focus at the moment is my health and resolving some personal matters, and also spending time with my kids, and their health and wellbeing as well.

“ … I’m not retiring, I’m just retiring from parliament.

“I will still continue to play an active part where I can in the community, in  community projects, charity work and specific projects.”

He said his proudest moments in politics included saving cracker night in his first decision as a minister, writing the Liberal policy for a local benefits test in government tendering, relocation of (some of) Mineral Resources Tasmania from Hobart to Burnie and rewriting building regulations.

He said he regretted being unable to get access reopened to parts of the Arthur-Pieman , but it did not mean the battle was over.

In late January, Braddon Labor MHR Justine Keay said: “Labor remains a strong supporter of a sustainable native forest and plantation industry and will continue to work with industry to support its long-term growth creating more local jobs and export opportunities for Tasmania.”

“On many occasions, I have rejected calls by environmental groups to list areas within the Tarkine as either a national park or world heritage area.

“The area has a long history of sustainable forestry and also mining. 

“The only proposals for protected areas being considered by Labor are in North Queensland and Western Australia.

“Labor actually amended its platform at national conference to reiterate its support for a strong forest industry that focuses on local downstream processing and more local jobs.

“Labor was also pleased to receive endorsement from Australia’s peak forest industry, the Australian Forest Products Association,. for our forest policies during last year’s Braddon by-election.”

In November, elections expert Kevin Bonham said Mrs Rylah was “more or less certain” to return to parliament if Mr Brooks quit and she nominated for a recount.

In his blog, Dr Bonham said if  she came back parliament would have a majority of female MPs, at least until Legislative Council elections in May.