Independent MP Nick McBride charged over alleged assault of wife bailed under strict conditions
Independent MP Nick McBride was placed under house arrest for allegedly assaulting his wife and forced to wear an ankle monitor while awaiting trial.
Mr McBride, one of South Australia’s richest men, spent the New Year in custody after his arrest just after Christmas.
The former Liberal maintained his innocence and was granted bail in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
Mr McBride was arrested and charged with assaulting his wife and breaching bail on December 27.
The arrest came after police attended a home in Conmurra, in the state’s south, following reports of a domestic assault.
Last week, a magistrate ordered him detained while a report was prepared on his suitability for home detention.
Mr McBride said in an earlier statement: “The matters before the court are allegations only and indicate that I have fully participated in the legal process, which I am confident will assist me in clearing my name.”
Mr McBride was elected to the South East seat of MacKillop as a Liberal in 2018, but resigned in 2023 due to “factional pressures” and “division”.
His family turned nurturing politicians are the 18th largest landowners in the country, owning more than 1.1 million hectares of land.
He will next appear in Mount Gambier Magistrates’ Court on January 30.
