Jami-Lee Ross#Simon Bridges expense scandal and corruption allegations

{{Infobox officeholder

|image = Jami-Lee Ross Portrait.jpg

|caption = Official portrait, 2011

|honorific-prefix =

|name = Jami-Lee Ross

|office = Leader of Advance NZ

|term_start = 6 August 2020

|term_end = 19 August 2021

|co-leader =

|predecessor =

|successor =

|office1 = Chief Government Whip in the House of Representatives

|term_start1 = 2 May 2017

|term_end1 = 26 October 2017

|primeminister1 = Bill English

|predecessor1 = Tim Macindoe

|successor1 = Ruth Dyson

|office2 = Deputy Chief Government Whip

|term_start2 = 7 October 2014

|term_end2 = 2 May 2017

|primeminister2 = John Key
Bill English

|predecessor2 = Tim Macindoe

|successor2 = Barbara Kuriger

|parliament3 = New Zealand

|constituency_MP3 = Botany

|majority3 = 12,840 (2017)

|predecessor3 = Pansy Wong

|successor3 = Christopher Luxon

|term_start3 = 5 March 2011

|term_end3 = 17 October 2020

| order4 = Howick ward councillor

| term_start4 = 31 October 2010

| term_end4 = 5 March 2011

| predecessor4 = Position created

| successor4 = Dick Quax

|nationality =

|birth_name = Jami-Lee Matenga Ross

|birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1985}}

|birth_place = New Zealand

|spouse = Lucy Schwaner (separated)

|children = 2

|party = Advance New Zealand (2020–2021)
Independent (2018–2020)
National (2003–2018)

}}

Jami-Lee Matenga Ross{{cite web |url= https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2011-au1688 |title=2011 Botany by-election: Results of the official count |date=16 March 2011 |work=New Zealand Gazette |access-date=6 October 2018}} (born 1985){{cite web |url= https://www.parliament.nz/media/6305/roll-of-members-of-the-new-zealand-house-of-representatives-1854-onwards.pdf |title=Roll of members of the New Zealand House of Representatives, 1854 onwards |date=24 May 2019 |publisher=New Zealand Parliament |access-date=17 October 2020}} is a New Zealand businessman and former politician. He was the Member of Parliament for Botany from a by-election in March 2011 until he lost his re-election bid at the 2020 general election.

Originally elected as a member of the New Zealand National Party, and having served as its chief whip during the final year of the Fifth National Government, Ross left the party in 2018 amid accusations of corruption, bullying, and sexual harassment.{{cite book |last1=Vance |first1=Andrea |title=Blue Blood: the inside story of the National Party in crisis |date=2022 |publisher=HarperCollins |isbn=978-1-77549-246-7 |location=Sydney, New South Wales}} He sat in Parliament as an independent until 2020, when he formed the conspiracy theorist and electorally unsuccessful Advance New Zealand party.{{Cite news |last=Quinlivan |first=Mark |date=18 October 2020 |title=NZ Election 2020: Tova O'Brien clashes with Jami-Lee Ross over Advance NZ party 'whipping up fear and hysteria' |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/10/nz-election-2020-tova-o-brien-clashes-with-jami-lee-ross-over-advance-nz-party-whipping-up-fear-and-hysteria.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020225040/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/10/nz-election-2020-tova-o-brien-clashes-with-jami-lee-ross-over-advance-nz-party-whipping-up-fear-and-hysteria.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=20 October 2020 |access-date=2020-10-22 |work=Newshub |language=en}} He was charged with electoral fraud in 2020 but found not guilty on the basis it was possible he had lied about his involvement in a donation-splitting scheme.

Prior to his parliamentary career, Ross had been a local government politician in Auckland on the Manukau City Council where had been elected aged 18, from 2004 to 2010 and on the consolidated Auckland Council for five months from October 2010. {{As of|2023}}, his main occupation was running an escort service.

Early life and family

Ross was brought up by his grandmother as his mother was "not in the best space to raise a child", and he has never met his father, who descends from the Māori iwi of Ngāti Porou. He was raised in Manukau City, first in Papatoetoe then Pakuranga after his grandmother shifted houses so Ross, a keen swimmer, could be closer to a pool.{{cite web |date=15 October 2018 |title=Who is Jami-Lee Ross? |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/who-is-jami-lee-ross/4LFM6SOPAEPFQBMVAP6B4K3ZWE/ |access-date=25 March 2024 |website=The New Zealand Herald }} Ross boarded at Dilworth School, where he was a swimming champion,{{cite web |last1=English |first1=Philip |last2=Sell |first2=Bronwyn |date=11 March 2005 |title=Last bastion of the free swim faces user-pays tide |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/last-bastion-of-the-free-swim-faces-user-pays-tide/25OV3ZEIFQKXFZIOCBDW4LLTVM/ |access-date=22 March 2024 |website=The New Zealand Herald }} before changing to Pakuranga College but left without formal qualifications.{{cite web |last= |first= |date=4 February 2011 |title=No Plan B for Botany's young gun |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/no-plan-b-for-botanys-young-gun/HUHIDV7JURYTMP4IAF7FWIRRJQ/?c_id=1&objectid=10704290 |access-date=22 March 2024 |website=The New Zealand Herald }} He obtained a commercial pilot's licence, having trained at Ardmore Flying School.Refer to talk page Later, he studied politics and economics at the University of Auckland but did not graduate.{{cite web |last=Borissenko |first=Sasha |date=18 August 2019 |title=Sasha Borissenko: Ranking MPs' legal expertise |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/sasha-borissenko-ranking-mps-legal-expertise/HRZZDDHPL6N7IGUY3PINWC2EDA/ |access-date=23 March 2024 |website=The New Zealand Herald }}

He was married to Lucy Schwaner, a former member of the Howick Local Board, with whom he has two children.{{cite news |title=Chairman fails in attempt to dump deputy |first= Simon |last=Smith |url= http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/8208629/Chairman-fails-in-attempt-to-dump-deputy |work=Auckland Now |date=23 January 2013 |access-date=23 January 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/320550/local-board-member-who-quit-within-minutes-paid-$1600|title=Local board member who quit within minutes paid $1600|date=16 December 2016}}{{cite web |last1=Orsman |first1=Bernard |last2=Howie |first2=Cherie |date=4 November 2016 |title=Board member quits: Kids no impediment |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/board-member-lucy-schwaner-quits-questions-why-her-young-children-brought-into-fray/WW6IAXSCSIMHNJIDTHK3J53Y7U/ |access-date=23 March 2024 |website=The New Zealand Herald }} Their separation came after Ross had multiple extramarital relationships.

Early political career

{{Auckland Council|align = left|affiliation=Citizens & Ratepayers|colour={{party color|Communities & Residents}}|ward=Howick|start=2010|end=2011}}

Ross joined the National Party in 2003. In 2004 he contested the Howick ward of the Manukau City Council as an 18-year-old and was elected alongside Sharon Stewart.2007 j811">{{cite web |date=13 October 2007 |title=Your Vote 07 - The results |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/your-vote-07-the-results/UIIK3KN2GSFVHVIIORM2BOIB5U/ |access-date=22 March 2024 |website=The New Zealand Herald }} He was re-elected for a second term in 2007, in which he chaired the performance and accountability committee.{{cite news |date=11 October 2004 |title=Local vote: City Councils |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/ilocal-votei-city-councils/FOBAG2752IZ7JWU64HQ7JIRMBE/ |access-date=22 March 2024 |website=The New Zealand Herald }}{{cite news |date=30 June 2010 |title=Out-of-pocket money |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/aucklander/news/out-of-pocket-money/UWVF6QGFDXS7JXTIEHONFLJSAY/ |access-date=22 March 2024 |website=The New Zealand Herald }}

As a councillor, Ross opposed the continuation of free entry to Manukau swimming pools. He supported the amalgamation of Auckland councils into a single authority proposed by the Royal Commission on Auckland Governance, in opposition to his own council's proposal of three medium-sized authorities. He self-described as a fiscal conservative and stated that his view that local government should not provide social services and these should be left to central government.{{cite web |last=Orsman |first=Bernard |date=11 June 2008 |title=Rich areas want split from the poor |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/rich-areas-want-split-from-the-poor/VESRIOOFO2GH5C436JZMIFVUJU/ |access-date=22 March 2024 |website=The New Zealand Herald }} In 2009, Ross led criticism of Manukau mayor Len Brown's use of council credit cards for personal spending.{{cite web |last=Orsman |first=Bernard |date=6 June 2010 |title=Brown pays back council card spending |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/brown-pays-back-council-card-spending/W4EAUWO3PWJ3J7PLB6UKKJKDUM/ |access-date=22 March 2024 |website=The New Zealand Herald }}{{cite web |last=Niall |first=Todd |date=16 October 2018 |title=Jami-Lee Ross: Controversial from the start |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/107870781/jamilee-ross-controversial-from-the-start |access-date=25 March 2024 |website=Stuff }} Ross himself was accused of seeking reimbursement for frivolous spending, including $14 for self-driving to an Anzac Day ceremony.

While a councillor, Ross was employed as an electorate secretary for Pakuranga MP Maurice Williamson.{{cite web |date=27 January 2011 |title=Nats and Labour make choices for Botany |url=http://tvnz.co.nz/politics-news/jami-lee-ross-nats-choice-botany-wood-labour-4008778 |publisher=TVNZ}}

He stood for a place on the new Auckland Council in the 2010 Auckland local elections, winning one of two Howick ward seats alongside former Manuakau City councillor colleague Sharon Stewart. Prior to the election, Ross had petitioned for a name change in the ward, which had originally been proposed to be called Te Irirangi after an historic chief. Ross called the proposed name "appalling" and "not appropriate."{{cite web |last=Tan |first=Lincoln |date=24 August 2010 |title=Howick: Name game over |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/howick-name-game-over-now-who-will-lead/DNYSS27HB5JUG3OHVMHR3Y47PY/ |access-date=22 March 2024 |website=The New Zealand Herald }} Ross joined the Citizens & Ratepayers ticket for the election and, after the election, became co-leader (with Christine Fletcher) of the five-strong bloc on council.{{cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10679891 |title=Defeated but defiant: right wing's new faces hint at old-style politics |work=The New Zealand Herald |last=Orsman |first=Bernard |date=12 October 2010 |access-date=17 October 2010}} He was appointed by Auckland mayor Len Brown to chair the tenders and procurement panel.{{cite web |date=28 October 2010 |title=Super City Mayor announces his team |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/super-city-mayor-announces-his-team/L7AW7IE27GVN2KVQ3DS4MZ3ED4/ |access-date=22 March 2024 |website=The New Zealand Herald }} In his maiden speech on the council, he pledged to "oppose overspending."{{cite web |date=2 November 2010 |title=Super City: Latest updates |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/super-city-latest-updates/5V7BE4FI6ZAR3G3QW52D5KA5GQ/ |access-date=22 March 2024 |website=The New Zealand Herald }}

He resigned from Auckland Council on 7 March 2011, after being elected to Parliament in a by-election, and was succeeded by Citizens & Ratepayers candidate Dick Quax.{{cite news |author1=Auckland Council |author-link=Auckland Council |title=Howick councillor Jami-Lee Ross resigns |url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1103/S00043/howick-councillor-jami-lee-ross-resigns.htm |access-date=26 July 2020 |work=Scoop |date=7 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003014008/http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1103/S00043/howick-councillor-jami-lee-ross-resigns.htm |archive-date=3 October 2018}}

Member of Parliament

{{NZ parlbox

|party=New Zealand National Party

|start=2011

|end=

|electorate=Botany

|term=49th

}}

{{NZ parlbox

|party=New Zealand National Party

|start={{NZ election link year|2011}}

|end=2014

|electorate=Botany

|term=50th

|list=54

}}

{{NZ parlbox

|party=New Zealand National Party

|start={{NZ election link year|2014}}

|end=2017

|electorate=Botany

|term=51st

|list=29

}}

{{NZ parlbox

|party=New Zealand National Party

|start={{NZ election link year|2017}}

|end=2018

|electorate=Botany

|term=52nd

|list=27

}}

{{NZ parlbox allegiance

|start=2018

|end=2020

|party=Independent politician

}}

{{End}}A by-election in the Botany electorate was called when former Cabinet minister Pansy Wong resigned from Parliament in December 2010. Ross announced his candidacy on 15 December and, with the support of right-wing strategists Simon Lusk and Cameron Slater, was selected on 27 January 2011 over former broadcaster Maggie Barry.{{cite web |date=15 December 2010 |title=Councillor to seek Botany candidacy for National |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/councillor-to-seek-botany-candidacy-for-national/72RXU6HKYVBRCWN4OBJLNXPQLQ/ |access-date=22 March 2024 |website=The New Zealand Herald }}{{cite news |date=27 January 2011 |title=National and Labour select Botany candidates |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/national-and-labour-select-botany-candidates/WVB22DSH3PN4VUI5QJOEUY3IJA/ |access-date=22 March 2024 |website=The New Zealand Herald }}{{cite web |last=Rowe |first=Don |date=19 October 2018 |title='I am just motivated to cut throats': meet Jami Lee-Ross's political mastermind |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/19-10-2018/i-am-just-motivated-to-cut-throats-meet-jami-lee-rosss-political-mastermind |access-date=23 March 2024 |website=The Spinoff }}{{cite web |last=Coughlan |first=Thomas |date=16 October 2018 |title=Jami-Lee Ross and the shadow of Dirty Politics |url=https://newsroom.co.nz/2018/10/16/jami-lee-ross-and-the-shadow-of-dirty-politics/ |access-date=23 March 2024 |website=Newsroom}} Ross's candidacy was criticised because he had only been elected to Auckland Council seven weeks earlier on a platform of cutting spending, and a by-election to replace him on the council would cost about $150,000.{{cite web |last1=Orsman |first1=Bernard |date=19 December 2010 |title=Councillor's bid could mean two byelections |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/councillors-bid-could-mean-two-byelections/L63MSQOKLDO3XJXGBF7YFK7YMI/ |access-date=22 March 2024 |website=The New Zealand Herald }}

Ross defeated Labour's Michael Wood in the 5 March 2011 by-election with a majority of 3,972.{{cite news |url= https://www.newshub.co.nz/general/final-botany-results-counted-jamilee-to-be-sworn-in-2011031612 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181006075634/https://www.newshub.co.nz/general/final-botany-results-counted-jamilee-to-be-sworn-in-2011031612 |url-status= dead |archive-date= 6 October 2018 |title=Final Botany results counted, Jami-Lee to be sworn in |date=15 March 2011 |work=Newshub |access-date=6 October 2018}} Upon his swearing into Parliament on 23 March, Ross became the youngest Member of Parliament, taking the informal title of Baby of the House from Green Party MP Gareth Hughes. His maiden speech, delivered on 6 April, outlined Ross's philosophy of limited government. Quoting Ronald Reagan's first inaugural address, he said: "government is not the solution to the problem; government is the problem."{{cite web |title=Ross, Jami-Lee: Maiden Statements | date=6 April 2011 |url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/document/49HansS_20110406_00001062/ross-jami-lee-maiden-statements |access-date=22 March 2024 |website=New Zealand Parliament}} He also described socialism as a "failed experiment" and offered an analysis of the Treaty of Waitangi that concluded the Māori electorates were not necessary; this was consistent with his previous comments about Māori wards on Auckland Council.{{cite web |date=13 October 2010 |title=Jami-Lee Ross says special Maori seats are not needed |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2420489/jami-lee-ross-says-special-maori-seats-are-not-needed |access-date=22 March 2024 |website=RNZ }}

File:Jami-Lee Ross Campaigning.jpgAfter his re-election as Botany MP at the 2011 general election,{{cite web |title=Official Count Results – Botany 2011 |url=http://archive.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2011/electorate-3.html |access-date=15 October 2018 |publisher=Electoral Commission}} Ross was appointed a member of the Māori affairs committee and the transport and industrial relations committee.{{cite web |title=Determinations of the Business Committee for 21 December 2011 |url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/sc/scl/business/document/00SCBU_Determinations20111221_1/determinations-of-the-business-committee-for-21-december |access-date=22 March 2024 |website=New Zealand Parliament}} He also began to pick up more duties in the management of party affairs. In early 2013, he was appointed the third government whip.{{cite web |date=28 January 2013 |title=Youngest MP becomes National Party whip |url=https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/youngest-mp-becomes-national-party-whip |access-date=25 March 2024 |website=BusinessDesk}} As early as that year, he also became more involved in party fundraising. Ross's Botany electorate was one of the country's most diverse and, as recently as 2008, had been described as an "Asian battleground" for votes with a large Chinese diaspora population making up a third of its total population.{{cite web |last=Tan |first=Lincoln |date=19 June 2008 |title=Botany a hot Asian battleground |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/botany-a-hot-asian-battleground/DMSC5CZ2MD73AWINPOJZZVLDH4/ |access-date=25 March 2024 |website=The New Zealand Herald }}{{cite web |last=Cheng |first=Derek |date=11 January 2011 |title=Barry sows seeds of new political career |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/barry-sows-seeds-of-new-political-career/35WLZIBLPEV2BNEC3K2KMBLVOE/ |access-date=25 March 2024 |website=The New Zealand Herald }} Ross developed connections within the Chinese community and was a "constant figure" at fundraising events, bringing in "big money" as the party's "bagman."{{cite news |last=Fisher |first=David |date=17 October 2018 |title=Inside story: 'Botany Bagman' Jami-Lee Ross and what's next |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/special-report-simon-bridges-v-jami-lee-ross-the-national-party-botany-bagman-and-his-plan-for-political-survival/UL6QTQ4HFGJZSBMNLOLCFSIGWI/ |access-date=25 March 2024 |website=The New Zealand Herald }} During this term, he voted for the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill, which legalised same-sex marriage in New Zealand.{{cite book |url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/document/50HansS_20130417_00001143/ross-jami-lee-marriage-definition-of-marriage-amendment |title=Jami Lee-Ross – Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment |date=17 April 2013 |work=Parliamentary Debates (Hansard) |volume=689 |page=9485 |access-date=6 August 2020}}

He was promoted to junior whip after his re-election in Botany at the 2014 general election,{{cite web |title=Official Count Results – Botany 2014 |url=https://www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2014/electorate-3.html |access-date=15 October 2018 |publisher=Electoral Commission}}{{cite web |date=7 October 2014 |title=Macindoe, Ross named National whips |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/256351/macindoe,-ross-named-national-whips |access-date=22 March 2024 |website=RNZ }} and succeeded Tim Macindoe as senior whip in May 2017. He was the final person to hold the office of chief whip during the Fifth National Government.{{Cite news |author=Nicholas Jones |date=2 May 2017 |title=Promotion for Botany MP Jami-Lee Ross to senior whip position |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11848571 |access-date=20 June 2017 |work=The New Zealand Herald}} During this term, Ross sat on the foreign affairs committee and the finance and expenditure committee and promoted a member's bill intended to create an enforcement regime against roadside windscreen washers, which passed its first reading in April 2017 with support from both National and Labour before being adopted as part of a government bill that August.{{cite web |last=Trevett |first=Claire |date=12 April 2017 |title=Window washers: $150 spot fines ahead |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/bill-bringing-150-spot-fines-for-window-washers-at-intersections-passes-first-vote-in-parliament/YYDG3NDFVHA2C5XTQSBKFC67OE/ |access-date=23 March 2024 |website=The New Zealand Herald }}{{cite web |title=Further determinations of the Business Committee for Tuesday, 21 October 2014 |url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/sc/scl/business/document/00SCBUDeterminations20141021A1/further-determinations-of-the-business-committee-for-tuesday |access-date=23 March 2024 |website=New Zealand Parliament}} In 2016, with Todd Muller, he traveled to the United States with the International Democracy Union to view the Republican National Convention, which he described as "vicious [and] nasty."{{cite web |last=Ross |first=Jami-Lee |date=24 July 2016 |title='It got vicious and it got nasty' – Jami-Lee Ross writes from the Republican National Convention |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/24-07-2016/it-got-vicious-and-it-got-nasty-a-nz-national-mp-writes-from-the-republican-national-convention |access-date=25 March 2024 |website=The Spinoff }} At the end of that year, he "ran numbers" for Bill English in the 2016 New Zealand National Party leadership election and led unsuccessful lobbying efforts within National for Simon Bridges to become English's deputy leader.{{cite web |last=Coughlan |first=Thomas |date=16 October 2018 |title=Jami-Lee Ross and the shadow of Dirty Politics |url=https://newsroom.co.nz/2018/10/16/jami-lee-ross-and-the-shadow-of-dirty-politics/ |access-date=25 March 2024 |website=Newsroom}}{{cite web |last=Williamson |first=Jared |date=26 November 2017 |title=New law putting some window washers off, but it isn't going away |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/99081312/new-law-putting-some-window-washers-off-but-it-isnt-going-away |access-date=23 March 2024 |website=Stuff }} Ross's support for English and Bridges was regarded as surprising because he had previously been viewed as an ally of Judith Collins, who had also been a leadership aspirant.

Ross contested the Botany seat for a fourth time during the {{NZ election link|2017}} and was re-elected.{{cite web |title=Botany – Official Result 2017 |url=https://www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2017/electorate-details-03.html |publisher=Electoral Commission |access-date=15 October 2018}} During the election campaign he apologised for his sign-written vehicle being parked in a bicycle lane.{{cite web |date=8 September 2017 |title=MP Jami-Lee Ross apologises for sign-written vehicle in Auckland bike lanes |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/mp-jami-lee-ross-apologises-for-sign-written-vehicle-in-auckland-bike-lanes/Y7GYXYMWYYTK43WIOQWA2S3CM4/ |access-date=23 March 2024 |website=The New Zealand Herald }} After the formation of the Sixth Labour Government, he was appointed spokesperson for local government in the Bill English shadow cabinet, ranked 27. He supported Simon Bridges in the February 2018 New Zealand National Party leadership election{{cite web |last=Murphy |first=Tim |date=8 August 2022 |title=Jami-Lee: 'I got f***ed over big time' |url=https://newsroom.co.nz/2022/08/08/jami-lee-finally-heard-in-court/ |access-date=22 March 2024 |website=Newsroom}}{{cite web |last=Fisher |first=David |date=1 November 2018 |title=Inside story: How it all went wrong for Jami-Lee Ross |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/jami-lee-ross-the-inside-story-on-his-spectacular-exit-from-the-national-party/KWSYTGOILPFLTZP4ARRPWIFN7Y/ |access-date=23 March 2024 |website=The New Zealand Herald }} and was ranked eighth within the Bridges shadow cabinet on 11 March, holding the transport and infrastructure portfolios and sitting as a National Party representative on the transport and infrastructure committee.{{Cite web |last=Cooke |first=Henry |date=11 March 2018 |title=National Party reshuffle sees former ministers demoted, Judith Collins up |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/102164860/national-party-reshuffle-sees-former-ministers-demoted-judith-collins-up |access-date=2020-05-27 |website=Stuff |language=en}}{{cite web |title=Determinations of the Business Committee for Wednesday, 21 March 2018 |url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/sc/scl/business/document/52SCBUDeterminations201803211/determinations-of-the-business-committee-for-wednesday |access-date=23 March 2024 |website=New Zealand Parliament}} Although this was the highest rank given to anyone who had not previously been a minister, Ross was disappointed with these appointments and later said that he had expected to be shadow leader of the house, chief whip, and housing spokesperson.

Split with National

= Simon Bridges expense scandal and corruption allegations =

As transport spokesperson, Ross denounced the Labour government's plans to increase subsidies for electric vehicle purchases, to raise transport revenue for Auckland through a fuel tax, and to build light rail.{{cite web |last=Davison |first=Isaac |date=9 May 2018 |title=Fast track: Auckland rail lines could be ready in 2024 |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/aucklands-new-rail-lines-could-be-ready-within-six-years-but-only-if-labour-is-still-in-power/CTJWCXHVJ5BFTIVOE2KMHUG2QA/ |access-date=23 March 2024 |website=The New Zealand Herald }}{{cite web |last=Ross |first=Jami-Lee |date=6 May 2018 |title=Why Auckland doesn't need fuel tax |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/jami-lee-ross-fuel-tax-imposes-unnecessary-burden-on-aucklanders/ZIDJBPS4B5I5BW6AFR2UAYQCLY/ |access-date=23 March 2024 |website=The New Zealand Herald }}{{cite web |date=27 April 2018 |title=Fuel-car levy could subsidise electric vehicles |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/356082/fuel-car-levy-could-subsidise-electric-vehicles-govt |access-date=23 March 2024 |website=RNZ }} He also leveled complaints against the Counties Manukau District Health Board of "unauthorised, excessive or unjustified" payments made to senior executives and alleged the board's then chief executive Stephen McKernan, later the acting director-general of health, was involved. McKernan was cleared after an investigation by the state services commissioner.{{cite web |last=Trevett |first=Claire |date=27 June 2018 |title=DHB spending 'excessive, unauthorised', MP claims |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/counties-manukau-dhb-spending-excessive-unauthorised-national-mp-claims/JF6XKQQSDSTKKGA5ENOU4AAH3A/ |access-date=23 March 2024 |website=The New Zealand Herald }}{{cite web |last=Bennett |first=Lucy |date=23 July 2018 |title=Hughes clears former DHB boss of any conflict |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/ssc-review-clears-former-counties-manukau-dhb-head-stephen-mckernan/AFTRVM266MKSZZONHTF27EUWW4/ |access-date=23 March 2024 |website=The New Zealand Herald }}

Through this period, Ross remained a confidante of Bridges. In mid-August 2018, Bridges' travel expenses were leaked to media and investigation was started.{{cite news |date=16 August 2018 |title=Simon Bridges expense leak: what we know so far |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/364234/simon-bridges-expense-leak-what-we-know-so-far |access-date=23 March 2024 |website=RNZ }} On 2 October 2018, Ross issued a statement that he was standing down from his portfolios and from the front bench of the Opposition due to personal health issues. His transport portfolio was picked up by Paul Goldsmith, and Judith Collins took over his infrastructure portfolio.{{Cite news |date=2 October 2018 |title=National MP Jami-Lee Ross stands down for health reasons |url=https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/367737/national-mp-jami-lee-ross-stands-down-for-health-reasons |access-date=2 October 2018 |work=Radio New Zealand}} Ross had denied being responsible for leaking the travel expenses but the investigation concluded two weeks later he was the leaker.{{cite web |last1=Bennett |first1=Lucy |last2=Walls |first2=Jason |date=14 October 2018 |title=Nats at war: Jami-Lee Ross denies leaking Bridges' expenses |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/national-mp-jami-lee-ross-identified-as-simon-bridges-expenses-leaker/EQCC2GNRVUILAOWL76DSGG3SHY/ |access-date=23 March 2024 |website=The New Zealand Herald }}{{Cite news |date=15 October 2018 |title=Watch: Jami-Lee Ross identified as National Party leaker |url=https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/368692/watch-jami-lee-ross-identified-as-national-party-leaker |access-date=15 October 2018 |work=Radio New Zealand}}{{cite web |last=Young |first=Audrey |date=2 October 2018 |title=Comment: Timing of MP's departure raises questions |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/audrey-young-timing-of-jami-lee-ross-departure-from-parliament-raises-questions/M2WFLYD523QZBSY2KL2NUC5PAI/ |access-date=23 March 2024 |website=The New Zealand Herald }} Ross denied the accusations and issued a series of tweets alleging that Bridges had attempted to silence him for speaking out against his leadership decisions, including an election donation that allegedly broke the law.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/10/judith-collins-slams-jami-lee-ross-tweets-as-appalling.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181015114525/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/10/judith-collins-slams-jami-lee-ross-tweets-as-appalling.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 October 2018|title='Disloyal disgrace': Judith Collins, Maggie Barry slam Jami-Lee Ross' 'appalling' tweets|date=15 October 2018|work=Newshub|access-date=15 October 2018|language=en}} Bridges indicated that National would seek disciplinary action against Ross.{{cite news |last1=Bennett |first1=Lucy |last2=Walls |first2=Jason |title=National MP Jami-Lee Ross identified as Simon Bridges' expenses leaker |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12142614 |access-date=15 October 2018 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=15 October 2018}}{{cite news |last1=Watkins |first1=Tracy |title=National Party leader Simon Bridges points finger at Jami-Lee Ross in expenses leak inquiry |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/107848792/National-Party-leader-Simon-Bridges-points-finger-at-Jami-Lee-Ross-in-expenses-leak-inquiry |access-date=15 October 2018 |work=Stuff |date=15 October 2018}}

On 16 October, Ross gave further allegations relating to Bridges' apparent corruption. In a press conference, in which he also announced his resignation from the National Party and intention to resign from Parliament, he claimed Bridges had violated electoral law several times, including accepting an illegal NZ$100,000 donation from Chinese businessman Zhang Yikun, and denied allegations that he had sexually harassed several female staff (see {{Section link||Bullying and sexual harassment allegations}}). He stated that he had not been on medical leave but had been forced to take leave by Bridges and deputy leader Paula Bennett as part of an apparent smear attempt. That same day, Ross was expelled from National for disloyalty.{{cite news |title=Jami-Lee Ross: 'I believe Simon Bridges is a corrupt politician' |url=https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/368762/jami-lee-ross-i-believe-simon-bridges-is-a-corrupt-politician |access-date=16 October 2018 |publisher=Radio New Zealand |date=16 October 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/107867835/live-nationals-leak-crisis|title=Live: Jami-Lee Ross quits National, accuses Simon Bridges of 'corruption' |work=Stuff |date = 16 October 2018|access-date=16 October 2018}}{{cite news |title=Jami-Lee Ross tweets pics of Simon Bridges and Chinese '$100k donor' as MP accuses National Party leader of electoral fraud |url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/jami-lee-ross-tweets-pics-simon-bridges-and-chinese-100k-donor-mp-accuses-national-party-leader-electoral-fraud |access-date=16 October 2018 |publisher=1News |date=16 October 2018}} Bridges said the allegations of corruption were baseless and a matter for the police. Ross spoke with police the next day and soon after released an audio recording between himself and Bridges in which Bridges described National list MP Maureen Pugh as "fucking useless" and Ross and Bridges compared the value that Asian minority members of Parliament could bring from National's donors, with Ross saying "two Chinese MPs are better than two Indians."{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/107908171/jamilee-ross-arrives-at-police-station|title=Jami Lee-Ross arrives at police station |date=17 October 2018 |access-date=17 October 2018 |website=Stuff}} Ross and Zhang, but not Bridges, were eventually charged with electoral fraud (see {{Section link||Electoral fraud investigation and trial}}).

= Bullying and sexual harassment allegations =

On 18 October Newsroom journalist Melanie Reid released an exclusive report, with four women accusing Ross of incoherent rages, harassment, and bullying behaviour. The women had spoken to Reid before the recent media publicity around Ross's conflict with his former National colleagues.{{cite news |last1=Reid |first1=Melanie |last2=Mason |first2=Cass |title=Jami-Lee Ross: Four women speak out |url=https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2018/10/17/281200/jami-lee-ross-four-women-speak-out |access-date=19 October 2018 |publisher=Newsroom |date=18 October 2018}}{{cite news |title=Four women accuse Jami-Lee Ross of harassment, bullying |url=https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/368904/four-women-accuse-jami-lee-ross-of-harassment-bullying |access-date=19 October 2018 |publisher=Radio New Zealand |date=18 October 2018}} Katrina Bungard, the former National candidate for Manurewa and a member of the Howick Local Board, identified herself as one of the four women. She alleged she had been harassed by Ross before and after a failed vote to install Ross's wife as the board chair in 2016.{{cite web |last=Fisher |first=David |date=18 October 2018 |title=A woman speaks: I was harassed by rogue MP Jami-Lee Ross |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/national-candidate-speaks-out-over-harassment-by-rogue-mp-jami-lee-ross/PS4PSS7XAK5KHTEZVS7GDC5BZ4/ |access-date=25 March 2024 |website=The New Zealand Herald }} Bungard praised the way that National had dealt with the complaints and the other women for coming forward with the allegations. Ross indicated that he was seeking legal options but also admitted he had had two past extramarital affairs, including with a married MP later revealed to be Invercargill MP Sarah Dowie.{{cite news |last1=Devlin |first1=Collete |title=Four women accuse Jami-Lee Ross of harassment, bullying |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/107959858/National-party-candidate-allegedly-harassed-by-Jami-Lee-Ross-speaks-out |access-date=19 October 2018 |work=Stuff |date=19 October 2018}}{{cite news |last1=du Plessis-Allan |first1=Heather |title=Exclusive: Watch – Jami-Lee Ross admits to affairs with two women |url=https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/exclusive-jami-lee-ross-admits-to-affairs-with-two-women-vows-to-stay-in-parliament/ |access-date=19 October 2018 |publisher=Newstalk ZB |date=19 October 2018}}

On 21 October, it was reported that Ross had been admitted to a mental health facility in Auckland by police having made a suicide attempt.{{cite news |title=MP Jami-Lee Ross admitted to mental health care |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12146335 |access-date=21 October 2018 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=21 October 2018}}{{cite news |title=Jami-Lee Ross taken into mental health care |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/108009753/jamilee-ross-taken-into-mental-health-care |access-date=21 October 2018 |work=Stuff |date=21 October 2018}}{{cite web |last=Cheng |first=Derek |date=12 February 2019 |title=Jami-Lee Ross casts a lonely figure in first day back at Parliament |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/jami-lee-ross-first-day-back-at-parliament/FF7HU7VAPVJ7OXCDL4WUO6YYOE/ |access-date=23 March 2024 |website=The New Zealand Herald }} He was discharged two days later.{{cite news |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12147444 |title=Jami-Lee Ross out of Middlemore Hospital |date=23 October 2018|work=The New Zealand Herald}} Ross later stated that his mental health crisis was triggered by a message Dowie had sent him two months earlier which contained the words "you deserve to die."{{cite web |date=22 January 2019 |title=Jami-Lee Ross: 'I've been to hell and back' |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/police-investigate-you-deserve-to-die-text-sent-to-jami-lee-ross/JE5FEKGVOWBOB6ZMGV33K3E7IA/ |access-date=23 March 2024 |website=The New Zealand Herald }} Dowie was investigated by police for possibly breaching the Harmful Digital Communications Act 2015 but charges were not pursued.{{cite news |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12195642 |title=Police probe text allegedly sent from phone of MP Sarah Dowie to Jami-Lee Ross |date=25 January 2019 |work=The New Zealand Herald}}{{cite news |last1=Watkins |first1=Tracy |title=Sarah Dowie named as National MP investigated over text to Jami-Lee Ross |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/110154722/sarah-dowie-named-as-national-mp-investigated-over-text-to-jamilee-ross |access-date=25 January 2019 |work=Stuff |date=25 January 2019}}{{cite news |last1=Coughlan |first1=Thomas |title=No charges for Sarah Dowie in relation to text |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/114649096/no-charges-for-sarah-dowie-in-relation-to-text |access-date=31 July 2019 |work=Stuff |date=31 July 2019}} The police complaint that triggered the investigation was made anonymously and Ross denied he had made it.{{cite web |last=Fisher |first=David |date=16 February 2019 |title=Sarah Dowie and that text: what the police won't tell you |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/sarah-dowie-and-the-text-message-inquiry-what-the-police-wont-tell-you/BJDCA3I2HS64FIXDPNEFHPE6T4/ |access-date=23 March 2024 |website=The New Zealand Herald }} Ahead of her retirement from Parliament in 2020, Dowie claimed Ross orchestrated the investigation and deliberately used his mental health as a cover to seek revenge against her.{{cite web |last=Reid |first=Melanie |date=30 July 2020 |title='He said he'd destroy me ... and here we are' |url=https://newsroom.co.nz/2020/07/30/he-said-hed-destroy-me-and-here-we-are/ |access-date=23 March 2024 |website=Newsroom}}

Further bullying and sexual harassment allegations were leveled at Ross in early February 2020.{{cite news |last1=Reid |first1=Melanie |date=5 February 2020 |title=New allegations surround MP Jami-Lee Ross |url=https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2020/02/05/1019443/new-allegations-surround-mp-jami-lee-ross |access-date=7 February 2020 |work=Newsroom}} A Parliamentary Service investigation substantiated a number of complaints about Ross's behaviour towards staff, including the existence of a "toxic environment", sexualised comments towards female staff members and "lies and mind games". Further investigation revealed at least two sexual relationships between Ross and his staffers and that Ross would target staffers through repeated pressure, controlling behaviour, "incoherent rages" and "brutal sex".{{cite news |author=Melanie Reid |author2=Bonnie Summer |date=21 July 2020 |title=Go back into a room with a predator? No thank you |url=https://www.newsroom.co.nz/go-back-into-a-room-with-a-predator-no-thank-you |work=Newsroom}} Ross denied any allegations of wrongdoing and claimed that the allegations against him were part of a "wider, politically-motivated attack."{{cite news |last1=Reid |first1=Melanie |last2=Jennings |first2=Mark |date=5 February 2020 |title=Jami-Lee Ross says he hasn't acted 'inappropriately' |url=https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2020/02/05/1020596/jami-lee-ross-says-he-hasnt-acted-inappropriately |access-date=7 February 2020 |work=Newsroom}}{{cite news |last1=Walls |first1=Jason |date=5 February 2020 |title=Independent MP Jami-Lee Ross says new misconduct claims a part of politically motivated attack |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12306302 |access-date=7 February 2020 |work=The New Zealand Herald}}

While some commentary toward Ross called for him to be treated kindly in recognition of his mental health struggles, despite the way he treated others,{{cite web |last=Barbour-Evans |first=Scout |date=23 October 2018 |title=Please stop being eggs about Jami-Lee Ross and mental health |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/23-10-2018/please-stop-being-eggs-about-jami-lee-ross-and-mental-health |access-date=25 March 2024 |website=The Spinoff }}{{cite web |last=Dreaver |first=Charlie |date=23 October 2018 |title=Mental Health Foundation warns over Jami-Lee Ross coverage |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/369207/mental-health-foundation-warns-over-jami-lee-ross-coverage |access-date=25 March 2024 |website=RNZ }} political commentators described Ross as "a narcissistic and ruthless game-player" and "the most extreme example" of a young career politician with no real life experience outside of politics, who viewed House of Cards as a model for how to behave.{{cite web |last=Edwards |first=Bryce |date=31 October 2018 |title=Political Roundup: What's wrong with our politicians? |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/political-roundup-whats-wrong-with-our-politicians/ISJTPN7ANP2EPAZ7CMMC7ZJ4BQ/ |access-date=25 March 2024 |website=The New Zealand Herald }}{{cite web |last=Manning |first=Selwyn |date=27 October 2018 |title=SPECIAL INVESTIGATION: Jami-Lee Ross – National Affairs and the Public Interest |url=https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2018/10/27/special-investigation-jami-lee-ross-national-affairs-and-the-public-interest/ |access-date=25 March 2024 |website=The Daily Blog}}{{cite web |last=Bradbury |first=Martyn |date=20 February 2020 |title=Consider the distance National are pretending exists between them and Jami-Lee Ross |url=https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2020/02/20/consider-the-distance-national-are-pretending-exists-between-them-and-jami-lee-ross/ |access-date=25 March 2024 |website=The Daily Blog}}

Independent MP and Advance New Zealand

File:Jami-Lee Ross Branding.jpg

= Return to Parliament =

Despite announcing he would resign from Parliament in October 2018, Ross stayed on as an independent MP, albeit on medical leave until early 2019. National refused to use the Electoral (Integrity) Amendment Act 2018, which it had opposed, to expel him from Parliament but equally refused to use Ross's proxy vote in his absence. Instead, Ross's proxy vote was given to New Zealand First.{{cite web |last=Cheng |first=Derek |date=1 November 2018 |title=National invites Ross to trigger waka-jumping law himself |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/national-wants-jami-lee-ross-to-write-to-the-speaker-saying-he-has-left-national-thereby-vacating-his-seat/7PCZ4T4A4FZOMP2R7LAI6TTJSM/ |access-date=23 March 2024 |website=The New Zealand Herald }}{{cite web |last=Herald |first=NZ |date=7 November 2018 |title=NZ First agrees to accept Jami-Lee Ross' proxy vote |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/nz-first-has-agreed-to-accept-mp-jami-lee-ross-proxy-vote-in-parliament/ZMK4R5UYJPC4SRK5OF653EU6YI/ |access-date=23 March 2024 |website=The New Zealand Herald }}

When Ross returned to Parliament in February 2019, he said he would focus on advocating for more funding for mental health and on electoral reform. Citing his experience in raising funds for the National Party, he claimed it was too easy to hide donations from foreigners by funnelling them through New Zealand-based companies and that "tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands, of dollars in donations are put through this way." In March, he called for all political donations from non-New Zealand citizens to be banned.{{cite news |date=8 March 2019 |title=Jami-Lee Ross wants new rules around financial donations to political parties from foreigners |url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/jami-lee-ross-wants-new-rules-around-financial-donations-political-parties-foreigners?variant=tb_v_1 |access-date=12 March 2019 |publisher=1News}} Soon after, his police complaint concerning Simon Bridges' disclosure of political donations was referred to the Serious Fraud Office. In February 2020, Ross—not Bridges—was charged with electoral fraud (see {{Section link||Electoral fraud investigation and trial}}).

Ross voted in favour of the End of Life Choice Bill in 2019 and the Abortion Legislation Bill in 2020.{{cite web |date=13 November 2019 |title=End of Life Choice Bill — Third Reading |url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/combined/HansDeb_20191113_20191113_16 |accessdate=25 March 2024 |publisher=New Zealand Parliament}}{{cite news |date=18 March 2020 |title=Abortion Legislation Bill — Third Reading |url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/combined/HansDeb_20200318_20200318_24 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200720222000/https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/combined/HansDeb_20200318_20200318_24 |archive-date=20 July 2020 |accessdate=25 March 2024 |website= |publisher=New Zealand Parliament}}

= 2020 general election =

In April 2020, two months after being accused of further bullying and sexual harassment allegations (see {{Section link||Bullying and sexual harassment allegations}}) and being charged with electoral fraud, and in anticipation of the general election called for that September, Ross declared that he would form a new political party, Advance New Zealand.{{cite news |last1=Walls |first1=Jason |date=29 April 2020 |title=Former National MP Jami-Lee Ross is forming his own political party – Advance New Zealand |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=12328220 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605101048/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=12328220 |archive-date=5 June 2020 |access-date=26 July 2020}} The party was formally launched on 26 July and soon merged with Billy Te Kahika's conspiracy theorist party, the New Zealand Public Party, which opposed mandatory vaccination, 5G technology, 1080 poison, fluoridation, electromagnets, abortion, and United Nations action plans Agenda 21 and Agenda 30 on sustainable development.{{cite news |date=26 July 2020 |title=Jami-Lee Ross launches Advance New Zealand party |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/422062/jami-lee-ross-launches-advance-new-zealand-party |access-date=6 August 2020 |work=RNZ |language=en-nz}}{{cite news |last1=Walls |first1=Jason |date=26 July 2020 |title=Election 2020: Advance NZ – Jami-Lee Ross joins forces with controversial NZ Public Party |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12351040 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727044950/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12351040 |archive-date=27 July 2020 |access-date=27 July 2020 |work=The New Zealand Herald}}{{cite news |last1=Coughlan |first1=Thomas |date=26 July 2020 |title=Jami-Lee Ross looks to Te Tai Tokerau as he plots journey back to Parliament |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300066166/jamilee-ross-looks-to-te-tai-tokerau-as-he-plots-journey-back-to-parliament |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727045134/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300066166/jamilee-ross-looks-to-te-tai-tokerau-as-he-plots-journey-back-to-parliament |archive-date=27 July 2020 |access-date=27 July 2020 |work=Stuff}}{{cite web |date=26 July 2020 |title=1080, COVID-19 recovery and abortions: What the NZ Public Party believes |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/07/nz-election-2020-new-zealand-public-party-s-policies.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008021208/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/07/nz-election-2020-new-zealand-public-party-s-policies.html |archive-date=8 October 2022 |access-date=25 March 2024 |website=Newshub }} Ross described the coalition as "centrist."

In late August, Advance New Zealand published a Facebook video alleging that the New Zealand government was forcing citizens to get a COVID-19 vaccine. According to Agence France-Presse's Fact Check, key parts of speeches made by other MPs were cut out and edited to distort what they were saying.{{cite news |last1=Molyneux |first1=Vita |date=27 August 2020 |title=New Zealand Public Party vaccination video condemned as 'dangerous and misleading' |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/08/new-zealand-public-party-vaccination-video-slammed-as-dangerous-and-misleading.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200828121530/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/08/new-zealand-public-party-vaccination-video-slammed-as-dangerous-and-misleading.html |archive-date=28 August 2020 |access-date=28 August 2020 |work=Newshub}} The video was controversial because it violated Parliamentary rules prohibiting the use of parliamentary debate videos for political campaigning. After Ross refused to remove the video, he was referred to Parliament's privileges committee by the Speaker of the House, Trevor Mallard.{{cite news |last1=Patterson |first1=Jane |date=28 August 2020 |title=MP Jami-Lee Ross referred to committee over anti-vaccination video |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/424673/mp-jami-lee-ross-referred-to-committee-over-anti-vaccination-video |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200828123332/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/424673/mp-jami-lee-ross-referred-to-committee-over-anti-vaccination-video |archive-date=28 August 2020 |access-date=28 August 2020 |work=Radio New Zealand}}{{cite news |date=28 August 2020 |title=Jami-Lee Ross refuses to remove vaccination video despite concerns it's misleading |url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/jami-lee-ross-refuses-remove-vaccination-video-despite-concerns-its-misleading |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200828123926/https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/jami-lee-ross-refuses-remove-vaccination-video-despite-concerns-its-misleading |archive-date=28 August 2020 |access-date=28 August 2020 |work=1News}} On 1 September, the privileges committee unanimously agreed that Ross had broken the rules by misusing edited parliamentary video for political adverting. Ross rejected the committee's decision, denouncing the committee as a "kangaroo court".{{cite news |date=1 September 2020 |title=Advance NZ vaccination video a 'blatant doctoring' and 'misleading' |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/decision-2020/advance-nz-vaccination-video-blatant-doctoring-and-misleading |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200902235026/https://www.odt.co.nz/news/decision-2020/advance-nz-vaccination-video-blatant-doctoring-and-misleading |archive-date=2 September 2020 |access-date=2 September 2020 |work=Otago Daily Times}}{{cite news |date=1 September 2020 |title=Parliament's Privileges Committee unanimous on agreement MP Jami-Lee Ross broke rules |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/424965/parliament-s-privileges-committee-unanimous-on-agreement-mp-jami-lee-ross-broke-rules |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200902232231/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/424965/parliament-s-privileges-committee-unanimous-on-agreement-mp-jami-lee-ross-broke-rules |archive-date=2 September 2020 |access-date=2 September 2020 |work=Radio New Zealand}}

Ross had planned to re-contest Botany for Advance New Zealand in the October 2020 New Zealand general election but, one month before the election, announced he had pulled out of that race. Instead, Ross said he would campaign as a list-only candidate and focus on overall party strategy.{{cite news |last1=Kirkness |first1=Luke |date=15 September 2020 |title=Election 2020: Advance NZ's Jami-Lee Ross abandons attempt to retain Botany seat |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12364923 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919005152/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12364923 |archive-date=19 September 2020 |work=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ}} In the event, neither Ross nor any other Advance New Zealand candidates were elected.{{cite web |date=6 November 2020 |title=2020 General Election and Referendums – Official Result |url=https://www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2020/ |access-date=20 January 2021 |publisher=Electoral Commission}}{{cite news |last1=Whyte |first1=Anna |date=18 October 2020 |title=Analysis: The winners, losers, new faces and goodbyes of election 2020 |url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/analysis-winners-losers-new-faces-and-goodbyes-election-2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022090204/https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/analysis-winners-losers-new-faces-and-goodbyes-election-2020 |archive-date=22 October 2020 |access-date=22 October 2020 |work=1News}} The day after the election, Ross was interviewed by Newshub journalist Tova O'Brien, who criticised him for "peddling misinformation" about COVID-19 and challenged his decision to ally with Te Kahika. Ross also stated that he planned to rest after the election. The interview attracted international and national media coverage with journalist Glenn Greenwald describing it as "an absolute masterclass in interviewing a politician."{{Cite web |date=2020-10-19 |title='Savage' Tova O'Brien interview of Jami-Lee Ross gains international audience |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/123132433/savage-tova-obrien-interview-of-jamilee-ross-gains-international-audience |access-date=2020-10-22 |work=Stuff |language=en}}

The final 17 days of Ross's failed campaign was portrayed in Tony Sutoris's 2023 fly-on-the-wall documentary Elements of Truth.{{cite news |title=Elements of Truth |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/videos/elements-of-truth |access-date=18 March 2023 |language=en |agency=The Spinoff }} It offered key insights into Ross's motives and rationales behind his alliance with Te Kahika and his movement, and the extent to which Ross truly believed the rhetoric espoused by the party that he co-led.{{cite web |date=2023 |title=New documentary explores rise and fall of former MP Jami-Lee Ross |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/film/131243573/new-documentary-explores-rise-and-fall-of-former-mp-jamilee-ross |publisher=Stuff (Fairfax)}} Sutoris said that Ross views political parties as cults and politicians as salespeople who don't need to believe in the policies they are promoting. In the documentary, Ross said he probably was "not as open-minded" towards Te Kahika's approach to COVID-19 at the beginning of the campaign, "but over time, I've come to believe the stuff that we're talking about."

Advance New Zealand was deregistered in 2021 following legal and political disputes between Ross and Te Kahika (see {{Section link|Advance New Zealand|Election aftermath}}).{{cite news |last1=Hendry-Tennent |first1=Ireland |date=16 July 2021 |title=Jami-Lee Ross' Advance NZ deregistering as a political party |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2021/07/jami-lee-ross-political-party-advance-new-zealand-deregistering.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715231748/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2021/07/jami-lee-ross-political-party-advance-new-zealand-deregistering.html |archive-date=15 July 2021 |access-date=15 July 2021 |work=Newshub}}

Electoral fraud investigation and trial

On 12 March 2019, it was reported that the New Zealand Police had referred Ross's complaint about Simon Bridges' disclosure of political donations to the Serious Fraud Office (the SFO). Bridges denied any wrongdoing and asserted that it was a National Party matter rather than an investigation into himself.{{cite news |title=SFO to investigate Jami-Lee Ross' complaint on National Party donations |url=https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/384516/sfo-to-investigate-jami-lee-ross-complaint-on-national-party-donations |access-date=12 March 2019 |publisher=Radio New Zealand |date=12 March 2019}}{{cite news |title=Jami-Lee Ross' complaint about National donations referred to Serious Fraud Office |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12211812 |access-date=12 March 2019 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=12 March 2019}}

On 29 January 2020 the SFO announced it had charged four people in relation to the claims made by Ross in 2018 around the $100,000 donation, none of whom were sitting National Party MPs.{{cite news |last1=Forbes |first1=Steve |title=MP Jami-Lee Ross avoiding media after Serious Fraud Office charges four people |url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/119167622/mp-jamilee-ross-avoiding-media-after-serious-fraud-office-charges-four-people |access-date=30 January 2020 |work=Stuff |date=30 January 2020}} On 19 February 2020, it was reported that Ross was one of the four charged and the charges related to a NZ$105,000 donation made to the National Party in June 2018. The SFO alleged that Ross and the other defendants had committed fraud by splitting the 2018 donation into sums of money less than $15,000, which were then transferred into the bank accounts of eight different people before being donated to the National Party.{{cite news |last1=Roden |first1=Jessica |title=MP Jami-Lee Ross among four charged over National Party donations |url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/mp-jami-lee-ross-among-four-charged-over-national-party-donations |access-date=25 February 2020 |work=1News |date=19 February 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Murphy |first1=Tim |title=Jami-Lee Ross one of 4 charged by SFO |url=https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2020/02/19/1041741/jami-lee-ross-one-of-4-charged-by-sfo |access-date=25 February 2020 |work=Newsroom |date=19 February 2020}} On 25 February, Ross appeared in court where he pleaded not guilty to the charges relating to the National Party donations.{{cite news |title=Jami-Lee Ross, three Chinese businessmen plead not guilty to National Party donation charges |url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/jami-lee-ross-three-businessmen-plead-not-guilty-national-party-donation-charges |access-date=25 February 2020 |work=1News |date=25 February 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Hurley |first1=Sam |title=National Party donations: MP Jami-Lee Ross pleads not guilty to SFO charges |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12311399 |access-date=24 February 2020 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=25 February 2020}}

In late July 2022, Ross was one of seven defendants in a High Court case involving three donations made to the Labour and National parties between 2017 and 2018. Ross and his co-defendants were accused of assisting businessman Yikun Zhang with concealing electoral donations.{{Cite web |last=Wong |first=Justin |date=2023-06-16 |title=NZ-based CCP state media publisher donated more than $18,000 to National Party |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/132321845/nzbased-ccp-state-media-publisher-donated-more-than-18000-to-national-party |access-date=2023-06-18 |website=Stuff |language=en}} The Crown accused Ross of serving as Zhang's insider within the National Party when the latter made two donations worth over NZ$100,000 in 2017 and 2018. Under the Electoral Act 1993, all donations worth more than NZ$15,000 must be reported to the Electoral Commission. The trial took ten weeks; Ross's defense was that he had lied to the SFO in order to save his political career and seek revenge against Bridges, and that the statements underpinning the Crown's case were unreliable.{{cite news |last1=Kapitan |first1=Craig |date=4 August 2022 |title=Labour and National donations trial: Minister Michael Wood testifies |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/labour-and-national-donations-trial-minister-michael-wood-testifies/ACQNXJ3T6LNIAYUJSCXRHY23XE/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815072859/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/labour-and-national-donations-trial-minister-michael-wood-testifies/ACQNXJ3T6LNIAYUJSCXRHY23XE/ |archive-date=15 August 2022 |access-date=16 August 2022 |work=The New Zealand Herald}}{{cite news |last1=Owen |first1=Catrin |date=29 July 2022 |title=Week 1 of the Labour and National political donations trial and what's next |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/129418930/week-1-of-the-labour-and-national-political-donations-trial-and-whats-next |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220804164738/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/129418930/week-1-of-the-labour-and-national-political-donations-trial-and-whats-next |archive-date=4 August 2022 |access-date=16 August 2022 |work=Stuff}}{{cite news |last1=Williams |first1=Amy |date=30 July 2022 |title=Money trail in Nats and Labour 'sham donors' trial unfolding in High Court |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/471872/money-trail-in-nats-and-labour-sham-donors-trial-unfolding-in-high-court |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805115843/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/471872/money-trail-in-nats-and-labour-sham-donors-trial-unfolding-in-high-court |archive-date=5 August 2022 |access-date=16 August 2022 |work=The New Zealand Herald}}{{cite web |date=8 September 2022 |title=Political donations trial: Jami-Lee Ross lied to SFO to implicate Simon Bridges, court hears |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/474400/political-donations-trial-jami-lee-ross-lied-to-sfo-to-implicate-simon-bridges-court-hears |access-date=23 March 2024 |website=RNZ }} Zhang and two others were found guilty of fraud; the judge acquitted Ross on the grounds that it was possible that he was "so driven by a desire to take down Mr Bridges that he lied in the most compelling way he could imagine, that is by falsely stating he had carried out Mr Bridges' instructions."{{Cite web |title=Political donations trial: Jami-Lee Ross' mental health a factor in judge's not guilty decision |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/476231/political-donations-trial-jami-lee-ross-mental-health-a-factor-in-judge-s-not-guilty-decision |access-date=2022-10-05 |website=RNZ |language=en-NZ}}

Later career

After leaving Parliament Ross began a business career. In 2020, he founded a company called Praesidium Life to sell a pseudoscientific medical treatment which he claims protects users from electromagnetic radiation.{{cite news |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/124069747/jamilee-ross-behind-anti5g-supplement-business |title=Jami-Lee Ross behind anti-5G supplement business |work=Stuff |author=Charlie Mitchell |date=6 March 2021 |access-date=6 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210314183818/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/124069747/jamilee-ross-behind-anti5g-supplement-business|archive-date=14 March 2021|url-status=live}} In 2022, he founded an escort agency called Sapphire Blue under the pseudonym Dylan Rose. As of March 2023 it employed over 20 women, most of whom have their ages listed as in their late teens and early twenties. Several of them have raised safety concerns.{{cite news |url=https://www.newsroom.co.nz/from-politician-to-pimp-the-transformation-of-jami-lee-ross |title=From politician to pimp – the transformation of Jami-Lee Ross |date=17 March 2023 |work=Newsroom |first=Melanie |last=Reid|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318183501/https://www.newsroom.co.nz/from-politician-to-pimp-the-transformation-of-jami-lee-ross|archive-date=18 March 2023}}