MP Nick McBride to re-contest seat at 2026 SA election while assault charges before court
An independent South Australian MP accused of assaulting his wife says he intends to run for his seat again at the March state election.
Nick McBride, the MP for MacKillop in the state's south-east, was charged with three counts of assaulting his wife in April.
He appeared in court on the charges for the first time last month and is yet to enter a plea, but denies the allegations.
Mr McBride told the ABC he understood the court proceedings would extend into June or July next year and that he planned to stand for re-election.
"I think it's going to be a really tough ask, but I went into politics with the idea of at least two or three terms," he said.
"I also left the Liberal Party with a huge amount of disappointment to be an independent and think that I could bring something to MacKillop as an independent.
"I haven't walked, and I'm not going to walk away from this process.
"I'm going to stick to my resolve … that I initially had and I'm not going to let these personal issues detract from that resolve."
Mr McBride said he believed he was still fit to be in parliament.
"I can't comment much about the charges … but no, I don't [think I should resign] because I've not been found guilty, and that is to be determined," he said.
The charges against Mr McBride come after unrelated criminal allegations against several other former South Australian Liberal MPs.
Mr McBride said members of parliament were subject to the same legal processes as any member of the public.
"Parliamentarians should have to face the consequences like any other person might have to, and they can also be innocent or guilty in this process," he said.
The matter will return to court next week.
The Liberal Party is yet to pre-select a candidate for MacKillop.
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