MEMBER for Narungga Fraser Ellis has outed himself as one of three country MPs being investigated by the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption (ICAC) over instances of possible corruption.

As reported in The Bunyip a fortnight ago, former ICAC Bruce Lander revealed some subjects of his investigation into the Country Members Travel Allowance scandal had refused to hand over documents they believed could be protected by parliamentary privilege.

In an interview with InDaily last week, Mr Lander also confirmed “more than one” MP was under “criminal investigation” as a result of his inquiry.

Following this revelation, Mr Ellis, former Upper House President Terry Stephens and Hammond MP Adrian Pederick released a joint statement outing themselves as the members being invested.

In the statement, they wrote: “at no stage have we ever sought to hide behind parliamentary privilege”.

“Each of us received a notice from the former commissioner requiring us to produce documents for the purpose of the investigation,” the statement read.

“The notices required production of documents evidencing communication and interactions without constituents about what is happening in government, including the Parliament.

“The requirement was extremely broad and extended to any documents meeting the category of evidence of the performance of our parliamentary duties.

“Self-evidently, the requirement captured information and documents that would ordinarily be kept confidential and protected by parliamentary privilege.”

The statement went on to say Mr Lander had approved their requests to wait until after parliament had ruled whether the documents were protected under privilege.

The investigation stems from the Country Members Travel Allowance scandal, which say a number of regional MPs pay back more than $100,000 collectively in taxpayer money.

The scheme allowed parliamentarians who live more than 75km from Adelaide to claim up to $234 a night to stay in the city.

Mr Ellis, whose electorate covers the Mallala, Dublin and Lower Light areas, paid back more than $42,000 – the most of any MP.

Mr Lander’s term ended on September 1, with new ICAC Ann Vanstone releasing a statement on Monday confirming she would carry on her predecessor’s investigation.

She also said she had narrowed the scope of requested documents, which for Mr Stephens and Mr Pederick could remove any problems with parliamentary privilege.

Privilege issues “might still arise” though from some of the document’s Ms Vanstone requested of Mr Ellis

“The solicitors have today advised that all three of their clients have agreed to provide documents to me as soon as practicable,” she said.

“In the case of Mr Ellis, an issue of parliamentary privilege might still arise, depending on what documents he discloses.”

Parliament returned from its winter break yesterday.