The head of Tasmania's public service Greg Johannes has resigned, but has told staff he is going "at a time of my own choosing".
The resignation of Mr Johannes from the role of secretary at the Department of Premier and Cabinet is expected to be officially announced shortly.
The ABC has spoken to multiple senior public servants who have expressed disbelief at the news.
Earlier this week Mr Johannes was instructed by the Premier to ensure there are "best practice systems" in place for recruitment in the public service.
That instruction came after a damning auditor-general's report into conflicts of interest in recruitment of senior executives.
In an email from Mr Johannes to staff he said:
"I think it's time to give someone else the opportunity to lead in a challenging environment, and to take the department into the intense program of work associated with the lead up to the election, caretaker period, and support for an incoming government."
"You can be confident that I am going at a time of my own choosing, because I feel the time is right."
Mr Johannes is a long-time public servant, having served as deputy secretary of DPAC and the Department of Economic Development.
Premier Will Hodgman described the departure as "disappointing".
"On behalf of the Government, I would like to thank Mr Johannes for his hard work, dedicated service and many positive achievements while in the role," he said.
Treasurer Peter Gutwein would not be drawn on the details of the resignation, but denied the public service was imploding.
"That's just ridiculous, absolutely not we have a very strong public sector," he said.
Claims of scapegoating and chaos
The Public Sector Union said the Government was in chaos following the shock resignation.
"He's been a wonderful public servant over a long period of time and he will be gravely missed in the public sector," CPSU state secretary Tom Lynch said.
"The Tasmanian Government, the public sector is in chaos, and it must be a concern for every Tasmanian."
The Labor Party said the Premier was to blame.
"Scapegoating Greg Johannes, the head of the public sector, is not going to fix the cultural problems that exist in Will Hodgman's Government, this is a Government that's in dysfunction," Opposition Leader Rebecca White said.
"The nepotism scandal that broke on Monday saw the Premier very quickly deflect any blame from himself, and now just a few days later we've seen the head of the public sector resign."
The Greens also blamed the Premier.
"This comes right to Will Hodgman, he is the head of the state service, and an outstanding secretary of Premier and Cabinet has resigned on Will Hodgman's watch," Greens leader Cassy O'Connor said.
"I do think that the Premier needs to take full responsibility for this loss to Tasmania," she said.
