A senior manager at Victoria's bushfire reconstruction authority resigned yesterday after it emerged she was a convicted arsonist. Human resources boss (Name Withheld) failed to declare her past when she accepted a job helping Black Saturday survivors rebuild their lives. She was among the first recruits to the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority in the aftermath of February's devastating fires. The authority is chaired by former Victoria Police chief commissioner Christine Nixon, who reports directly to the Premier, John Brumby. Taxpayers are paying for legal action between (Name Withheld) and a Premier's Department staff member who has accused her of discrimination. (Name Withheld) tendered her resignation yesterday to new bushfire authority chief executive Ben Hubbard.

She told the Herald Sun she regretted keeping secret details of her guilty plea and conviction of arson at Ringwood Magistrates' Court in 1993. It is believed the charges were linked to a failed attempt at an "insurance job" on a stolen car. "It relates to a bad period in my life.  I've had a very successful career since then," (Name Withheld) said last night. "I do think I should have disclosed the conviction." A magistrate ordered (Name Withheld) to perform 250 hours' community work, which was later converted to a fine. (Name Withheld) said she was asked to help set up the bushfire authority and had not sought the role. "I knew shortly after I accepted the job….I should have told them about the past," (Name Withheld) said. Before accepting the job, (Name Withheld) was a senior manager at the Department of Premier and Cabinet. Mr Hubbard said last night revelations of the arson conviction left him with no choice but to accept (Name Withheld's)resignation.

"It's disappointing for the person concerned given she has been an excellent employee and is a devoted mum," he said.