Brendan Simpkins

THE Liberal Party has lost its majority on North Terrace following the resignation of backbencher Fraser Ellis last Friday.

Ellis, the Member for Narungga, informed Premier Steven Marshall of his decision to resign from his Liberal Party membership on Thursday but announced the move publicly at about 2am on Friday following lengthy debate on the Termination of Pregnancy Bill.

It came as charges were laid on Mr Ellis for his role in the Country Members Accommodation Allowance scandal which has plagued the party.

Speaking in parliament, Mr Ellis reiterated his innocence and said his “conscience is clear” on the matter.

“I am completely innocent and I will be vigorously defending these allegations to the full extent of my resources and the law,” he said.

“I repeat now what I have said previously and my position has not changed, I have never acted dishonestly; any error in a claim form completed by a relatively inexperienced member was simply that, an error.

“There is a significant difference between an error and any proof beyond reasonable doubt of a crime in a court of law.

“These were the result of genuine error by a new member for which I have already apologised.”

Following Ellis’ announcement, Independent Commissioner Against Corruption Ann Vanstone QC issued a statement.

She said Mr Ellis had been charged with 23 counts of Deception relating to an alleged 78 fraudulent claims of the Allowance between May 13, 2018 and June 12, 2020, totalling more than $18,000.

“The Country Members Accommodation Allowance is available to Members of Parliament whose usual place of residence is more than 75 kilometres from Adelaide, and who are required to stay in Adelaide overnight to attend to parliamentary or other relevant duties,” Ms Vanstone said.

“It will be alleged that Mr Ellis claimed the allowance for nights he did not spend in Adelaide.”

Ellis said he had every intention to recontest Narungga at next year’s State Election.

Narungga covers parts of the Adelaide Plains, including Mallala, Dublin and Lower Light.

He will appear in court on March 31.

Meanwhile, the Liberals now hold a minority government, as Ellis’ resignation left the party with 22 seats.

He joined Troy Bell and Sam Duluk, formers member of the party who resigned over various criminal charges, who had moved to the crossbench.

Former ministers Stephan Knoll, transport, and Tim Whetstone, primary industries, resigned from their cabinet positions and moved to the backbench as a result of the allowance scandal last year.

Twenty four seats are needed to form a majority.

Opposition Leader Peter Malinauskas said the government was “in crisis” following Ellis’ resignation.

“In the past year alone, this government has had three ministers resign and two MPs quit the party after being charged with offences,” he said.

“As well as the resignations of the President of the Legislative Council and the Government Whip.”

Mr Ellis is a member of a number of parliamentary committees namely the Aboriginal Lands Parliamentary Standing Committee, Environment, Resources and Development Committee, Legislative Review Committee and Publishing Committee.

On Saturday, Shadow Attorney-General Kyam Maher called for Mr Ellis’ removal from his positions.