Upper house MP Terry Stephens won’t face prosecution over travel allowance scandal

Former upper house president Terry Stephens will not face prosecution over the country members travel allowance scandal, it’s been confirmed.

The former upper house president who triggered the MP travel allowances scandal, Liberal Terry Stephens, will not face prosecution over potential rorting, the Director of Public Prosecutions has confirmed.

Mr Stephens told state parliament the ICAC advised him on February 2 that he would not be prosecuted.

“From my perspective, the matter is now at an end – now is the time for my family and I to move on with our lives,” he said.

“I thank the many members of this council who know me well for their support.”

Mr Stephens said he would not be making any further comment.

DPP Martin Hinton revealed that a brief of evidence relating to Mr Stephens and claims he had made for certain allowances had been assessed by the Office of the DPP.

“That brief was vetted by lawyers within the ODPP in addition to an opinion being obtained from external counsel,” he said.

“It has been determined, in accordance with the ODPP Guidelines, that any prosecution arising from the brief would not have reasonable prospects of success. Accordingly, no charges will be laid.”

Premier Steven Marshall said he was “sure (Mr Stephens) will be very relieved this is no longer under consideration”.

The country members allowance saga began in June, 2020, amid questions of Mr Stephens’ entitlement to payments under the scheme. Mr Stephens was the upper house president at the time but he resigned from the role over the scandal.

He consistently denied any wrongdoing.

Under parliamentary rules at the time, country MPs could claim up to $234 per night if they lived more than 75km from the Adelaide GPO and needed to stay in the city to attend parliament or undertake other work duties.

Questions were subsequently raised about other MPs claiming the allowance and the saga eventually resulted in a number of resignations, including two Cabinet Ministers.

Two MPs are currently before the courts, facing charges arising from the scandal.

The Advertiser in December last year revealed Mount Gambier MP Troy Bell had been charged with 52 counts of having deceived another to benefit himself or a third person.

Court documents alleged Mr Bell falsely claimed more than $50,000 in country members allowance.

Mr Bell at the time said he would “defend the allegations to the fullest extent”.

Meanwhile, Narungga MP Fraser Ellis resigned from the Liberal Party in February last year after he was also charged with allegedly rorting to the allowance scheme.

Mr Ellis declared he was “completely innocent” and would vigorously defend the allegations.

His decision to quit the Liberal Party, and join the crossbench, plunged the government into minority.