Former Health Services Union boss Kathy Jackson, who is fighting for Legal Aid funding for her upcoming fraud trial, will argue her partner's house should not be used to finance her case.
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Jackson is in a relationship with Michael Lawler, the former vice president of the Fair Work Commission.
She has made an application to the County Court of Victoria for her trial to be funded by Legal Aid after she was charged with misappropriating nearly $500,000 from the union to pay for personal flights, hotels and other items between 2003 to 2011.
However, Legal Aid has opposed the application, stating Mr Lawler has sufficient equity in his house that he could access to meet the costs.
"She should rely on that rather than publicly-funded social security," Legal Aid barrister Angel Aleksov argued on Tuesday.
But Jackson said her partner should not be compelled to sell his house.
"I have no money. I am a bankrupt. I have no assets apart from my car, which is probably worth a couple of thousand dollars," she said.
"I want to make clear that Mr Lawler and I are separate human beings. He will not sell his house."
The matter was adjourned until Thursday so Mr Lawler could be called to give evidence.
Jackson's trial is expected to begin on April 29, depending on the outcome of her Legal Aid application.
Australian Associated Press
