Key evidence in the trial of former Liberal South Australian state MP Fraser Ellis may not be admissible in court due to parliamentary privilege, his lawyer claims.
Independent MP Fraser Ellis was charged a year ago with making more than $18,000 in fraudulent expenses claimsThe prosecutor said a "common sense" approach should be used to include themover his alleged misuse of the Country Members Accommodation Allowance, following an Independent Commissioner Against Corruption investigation.
Mr Ellis is accused of making 78 fraudulent claims for the allowance, totalling more than $18,000 —between May 13, 2018, and June 12, 2020.was delayed until after the state election — which saw the member for Narungga re-elected as an independent with almost 60 per cent of the vote after preferences. Today, the trial was pushed back until August, due to issues with witness availability after the initial trial date clashed with a parliamentary sitting week.Parliamentary privilege gives MPs immunity from legal action when they say or write something in parliament when otherwise they could be sued or charged.
But in this case, it could be used to prevent key evidence — that is, the forms Mr Ellis filled out to claim the allowance — from being permitted in court.were required to table a decade of claims in July 2020Mr Ellis's lawyer, Sam Joyce, today told the Adelaide Magistrates Court that could render the documents inadmissible in court, due to parliamentary privilege.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
‘Disingenuous’: Liberal MP blasts independent over Climate 200A fiery clash has unfolded between all three candidates at the Sky News Australia North Sydney debate, with Liberal MP Trent Zimmerman slamming Climate 200-backed independent Kylea Tink as “disingenuous”.
Read more »
Chief whip investigates reports Tory MP watched porn in House of CommonsFemale Tory MPs complain about sexism in parliament after claims a senior colleague was watching porn on his phone
Read more »
Tories hit by another scandal after MP accused of watching porn in CommonsFemale MPs complain about sexism and misogyny in Tory ranks in meeting on Tuesday night
Read more »
Senior Tories pressure Johnson to act now on MP accused of watching pornMPs question why direct action has not been taken, but PM says independent process is needed
Read more »
SA records 4,856 new COVID cases and three deathsSouth Australia records a big jump in COVID numbers, with 4,856 new cases reported in the past 24 hours. SA Health says the release of the results was delayed by a technical glitch.
Read more »
SA prepares to ease close contact rulesSouth Australia is preparing to scrap COVID-19 close contact isolation rules, bringing its restrictions into line with NSW, Victoria, Queensland and the ACT. 7NEWS
Read more »