A South Australian MP charged with 23 counts of deception over allegedly fraudulent expenses could have his case dismissed after his lawyer invoked new laws that curtailed the anti-corruption agency’s powers where parliamentary privilege applies.

Former Liberal MP Fraser Ellis, who was recently re-elected as the independent candidate for the seat of Narungga, was last year charged with making more than $18,000 in fraudulent expenses claims following an investigation by the state’s Independent Commission Against Corruption.