The fate of disgraced union leader Kathy Jackson, who allegedly defrauded the Health Services Union of more than $1 million, is unlikely to be known until later in the year.
Appearing before Magistrate Charlie Rozencwajg – the same magistrate who heard her Union nemesis Craig Thomson's fraud case - on Tuesday, Ms Jackson arrived at court flanked by her partner, former Fair Work Commissioner Michael Lawler.
It was standing room only in the court as onlookers watched Ms Jackson sitting in the accused box before being ushered to the front, where she opted to sit cross-legged on the floor.
Mr Lawler sat separately taking notes on his laptop.
Ms Jackson has been charged with 70 fraud-related offences and faces a potential prison sentence over her misuse of $900,000 of members' money.
In 2015, Ms Jackson was ordered to pay the HSU $1.4 million after the Federal Court found she misused union funds through union credit cards and slush funds to pay for travel, groceries, entertainment, clothes and even her divorce.
She was later ordered to pay a further $900,000 in interest and costs.
Ms Jackson's lawyer, Philip Beazley, told the court he wished to cross examine 68 witnesses.
He said his client would argue she gained approval for the expenditure after the transactions were made and the proof was documented in the minutes of union meetings.
"Payments were made by a credit card and retrospectively approved by a committee," Mr Beazley said.
He said there were minutes of these meetings, but they no longer existed, damaged by floods and fire.
"We wish to examine witnesses on thier recollections," he said.
"The minutes would exonerate this. It's all about the approvals, that's what it's all going to be based on."
Magistrate Rozencwajg said the case would not be listed in the near future.
"Do you want another royal commission on this," he asked the court.
He said he would not be the magistrate on the trial because he was the judge on Mr Thomson's case and for "appearance sake" it would be better to be heard before another magistrate.
The matter will return to court on March 31 for a committal hearing before a committal trial beginning on November 13.