WA's most senior public servant quits

Western Australia's most senior public servant Peter Conran has resigned more than two years before his contract was due to end.

The Director-General of the Department of Premier and Cabinet for the Barnett government will step down from the role mid-year after seven-and-a-half years in the job, having been reappointed for five years in May 2013.

Premier Colin Barnett said in a statement he understood why Mr Conran was leaving but was very sorry to see him go, and he had served WA exceptionally well, and his expertise and wise counsel would be missed.