Federal Labor is calling on the government to bring to a head an investigation into Fair Work Commission vice president Michael Lawler.
"This has gone on way too long and the government needs to make sure this matter is dealt with expeditiously," opposition workplace spokesman Brendan O'Connor told ABC radio on Friday.
Labor fears public confidence in the commission has been shaken after Mr Lawler used nine months of taxpayer-funded sick leave to prepare the legal defence of his partner, disgraced former Health Services Union official Kathy Jackson.
Mr Lawler has defended his actions, telling ABC TV's Four Corners program this week there was "absolutely nothing wrong with taking leave to help your partner defend herself against unjust attacks".
He also admits to covertly taping conversations with his boss, commission president Iain Ross.
Mr Ross told a Senate committee on Thursday that while he was disappointed with Mr Lawler's actions, he still had to pay his $435,000 annual salary.
Labor leader Bill Shorten said anyone who watched the Four Corners program would have been staggered, and noted Labor had been calling for an investigation for months.
"There is a case to answer and people want to get to the bottom of what is happening," he told reporters in Melbourne.
Share
