Australia’s Adelaide Magistrates Court has found South Australian legislator Fraser Ellis guilty of four counts of deception for the misuse of an accommodation allowance available to members of parliament. Fraser Ellis, an independent MP representing the Narungga electoral district in the South Australian House of Assembly, was found guilty under Section 139 of the Criminal Law Consolidation Act (SA) for fraudulent claims related to the Parliamentary Country Members Accommodation Allowance.
The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) had alleged that Ellis made 78 fraudulent claims, totaling more than $18,000, between May 13, 2018, and June 12, 2020. Ellis was initially charged with 23 counts of deception and, as reported, was found not guilty of the remaining 19 charges by the court. Adelaide Magistrates Court ruled on Monday that Ellis was indeed guilty of four counts of deception.
During the trial, a magistrate approved the admission of documents presented in the House of Assembly into evidence despite Ellis asserting parliamentary privilege. His application to appeal this decision was denied, consolidating the evidence upon which the guilty verdict was based.
The Country Members Accommodation Allowance is available to South Australian MPs whose usual place of residence is more than 75 kilometers from the Adelaide General Post Office and who are required to stay overnight in Adelaide for parliamentary or other official purposes. The eligibility criteria are stipulated by the Remuneration Tribunal.
Following the verdict, Ellis expressed his surprise at the outcome, stating, “I did not expect the outcome, having sat through that trial, showed up today and hoped to be fully acquitted.” He also noted that he would be discussing the judgment with his legal team to decide whether to appeal the magistrate’s decision.
The case is part of a broader investigation into the misuse of parliamentary allowances, which has previously seen other MPs, such as Troy Bell, charged with similar offenses.
For additional details, refer to the full report on JURIST.