ICAC refers two more MPs to prosecutors over country members allowance scandal

More SA country MPs have the spectre of prosecution hanging over them, after ICAC handed over evidence about their use of the country members allowance.

The fate of two more MPs is in the hands of the Director of Public Prosecutions after the ICAC handed over evidence relating to the potential misuse of the state parliament’s country members allowance.

One MP is already before the courts, having been charged over the allowance scandal.

ICAC Ann Vanstone on Wednesday revealed further investigations had taken place and that in May she had provided a brief of evidence regarding a second MP to DPP Martin Hinton for his consideration.

“It is for the director to determine whether there will be a prosecution,” she said.

Ms Vanstone said the DPP had also received a briefing relating to a third MP more recently.

“I understand that the director continues to consider both these matters,” she said.

“No other Members are now subject to active investigation by my officers in relation to the Country Members Accommodation Allowance.”

Ms Vanstone did not name the MPs whose cases had been referred to the DPP.

In issuing her statement, she urged members of the public to “keep an open mind about the conduct under consideration until all the appropriate processes are concluded,” stressing that “at this stage these are only accusations”.

Ms Vanstone said she had made the statement because of the public interest and existing knowledge of the case, and because new laws regarding ICAC meant she would be limited in the future about what she could say about investigation.

“I also make it now because once the recent amending Act passes into law I will not be in a position to advise the public of the outcome of these investigations, or any other Independent Commission Against Corruption investigations, except in extremely narrow circumstances,” she said.

The country members allowance saga began in June last year amid questions of the then-Upper House President Terry Stephens’ entitlement to payments.

Mr Stephens has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

Questions were subsequently raised about other MPs claiming the allowance and the scandal eventually resulted in a number of resignations of various roles, including two Cabinet Ministers, with Mr Stephens standing down as President.

An ICAC inquiry also led to charges being laid against then-Liberal backbencher Fraser Ellis.

Under parliamentary rules, country-based MPs are eligible to receive a taxpayer-funded allowance for travelling to and from Adelaide for parliamentary and other official duties if their usual place of residence and at least part of their electorate is more than 75km by road from the GPO.

Those who meet the requirement are able to claim more than $200 for each night they stay in the city.