Former MP Fraser Ellis Convicted of Seven Deception Counts

Former MP Fraser Ellis now stands convicted of seven counts of deception after failing to have his original four thrown out by South Australia's highest court.

The former member for Narungga, on the state's Yorke Peninsula, was convicted by the Adelaide Magistrates Court of four counts of deception in 2024, relating to his misuse of the Country Members Allowance.

The allowance is available to Members of Parliament whose usual place of residence is more than 75 kilometres from Adelaide, and who are required to travel for parliamentary duties.

He was acquitted of a further 19 counts.

However, today three of those acquittals were set aside by the state's Court of Appeal and replaced with convictions.

This came after the Director of Public Prosecutions filed an appeal against the 19 acquittals.

Ellis also filed an appeal against his four original convictions but that was dismissed.

The former Liberal-turned-independent was one of two MPs, alongside Troy Bell, who were charged over their use of the allowance after a series of exclusive ABC News stories.

Ellis previously admitted to making mistakes when recording the time he had spent in Adelaide but denied they were made intentionally.

"He submitted that the fact the claim was incorrect did not prove it was dishonest according to the standards of ordinary people," the Court of Appeal's written judgment said in relation to one claim.

"We would not depart from the reasons of the magistrate."

Outside court, Ellis did not comment on the decision other than to say he had to read the judgment.

"I've just got to take an opportunity to read the judgement and see what their Honours have said and consider it from there," he said.

"I haven't got much else to offer at this stage."

Ellis lost his seat at this year's state election to One Nation's Chantelle Thomas.

In 2024, Ellis had made a successful bid to have his sentencing postponed while awaiting the Court of Appeal's decision.

The court today said the sentencing process would now begin in September.

The offence of deception carries a maximum penalty of 10 years behind bars.

However, the maximum penalty faced by Ellis is two years for each count as he is being sentenced in the Adelaide Magistrates Court.