A senior manager at Victoria's bushfire reconstruction authority resigned yesterday after it emerged she was a convicted arsonist. Human resources boss Penni Fisher failed to declare her past when she accepted a job helping Black Saturday survivors rebuild their lives. Ms Fisher, 38, 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 Ms Fisher and a Premier's Department staff member who has accused her of discrimination. Ms Fisher 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," Ms Fisher said last night. "I do think I should have disclosed the conviction." A magistrate ordered Ms Fisher to perform 250 hours’ community work, which was later converted to a fine. Ms Fisher 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," Ms Fisher said. Before accepting the job, Ms Fisher 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 Ms Fisher's resignation.

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