Fair Work Commission vice president resigns

Fair Work Commission vice-president Michael Lawler has resigned over questionable use of paid sick leave.

Mr Lawler made the announcement on the eve of his deadline to respond to claims he used more than nine months of sick leave on full pay to help ex-union leader partner Kathy Jackson defend a corruption lawsuit.

Ms Jackson was being sued over a reported theft from the Health Services Union.

She lost a Federal Court case and was ordered $1.4 million after it was proven she used large sums of stolen union funds on clothes, mortgage repayments and overseas holidays.

Employment Minister Michaelia Cash told the Senate on Thursday afternoon the ex-vice-president had tendered his resignation.