The chairman of Western Australia's state-owned Water Corporation has quit, just two months after being reappointed to the position.
In statement released on Friday, the Water Corporation said Michael Hollett had stepped down immediately, "citing business and family interests".
Water Minister Dave Kelly told the ABC he could not comment on Mr Hollett's resignation.
"On legal advice I'm unable to provide any further detail other than what's been provided in the Water Corporation's statement," he said.
The ABC has contacted Mr Hollett for comment.
Mr Hollett joined the Water Corporation board in 2012, before being appointed chair by then water minister Mia Davies in January 2017.
He was reappointed as chair by Mr Kelly in November 2019.
Mr Hollett has been replaced on an acting basis by deputy chairman David Lock.
The Water Corporation said a new chair would be appointed "in due course in accordance with the Water Corporations Act 1995".
A ministerial media statement released at the time of Mr Hollett's 2017 appointment said he was a qualified hydrographer who began his career working for the Water Corporation before moving into property development in the private sector.
The statement said he was the director of Ocean Gardens Retirement Village and H&H Development Enterprises, a former chief executive officer of the National Lifestyle Village Group and a former chairman of the Pilbara Development Commission.
Premier 'not happy' as questions raised
Premier Mark McGowan also said he was unable to comment on Mr Hollett's resignation.
"I'd urge people to ask him [Mr Hollett] in respect to these matters," he said.
"I really am unable to say anything further at this point in time. I may be able to say something further in the future.
"My preferred position is always to release information. But I'm constrained by the advice I'm provided.
"I'm not particularly happy about it, but I have to accept the advice I'm given in respect of these matters to protect the state."
WA's Shadow Minister for Government Accountability, Tjorn Sibma, accused the Premier of lacking transparency in his handling of the issue.
"This was a Government that was elected on a platform of openness, transparency and accountability," he said.
"The story that we have does not add up. We have a chairman whose contract was renewed eight weeks ago for a three-year period and he abruptly resigns.
"What the Government's refusal to comment does is actually invoke further speculation, prompt further questions.
"I don't think that's fair on the [former] chair, I don't think that's fair on the Water Corporation and it's certainly not fair to the people of Western Australia."
