Charged independent MP Troy Bell gets Liberal funds approved by Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis

A SOUTH Australian politician facing corruption charges will receive thousands of dollars from a Liberal MP despite quitting the party to run as an independent at the March election.

Mt Gambier MP Troy Bell leaves the Mt Gambier Courthouse last year. Picture: Tom Huntley

• Troy Bell on bail following court appearance over theft charge
• Independent MP Troy Bell proclaims innocence in Parliament

A SOUTH Australian politician facing corruption charges will receive thousands of dollars from a Liberal MP despite quitting the party to run as an independent at the March election.

Liberal MP Mitch Williams will transfer $8000 of unused allowance to independent Mount Gambier MP Troy Bell, who has been charged with more than 20 counts of corruption.

Mr Bell resigned from the Liberal Party in August after being charged for allegedly misusing more than $2 million in taxpayer funds.

He has denied all allegations and will next appear in court in February.

MacKillop MP Mr Williams wrote to Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis earlier this month to ask for $8000 of his Global Allowance — a mostly discretionary entitlement allocated to MPs — to be transferred to Mr Bell.

It is understood the request has been approved.

Mr Koutsantonis said there was “nothing illegal about transferring Global Allowances to other MPs”.

Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis

Liberal MP Mitch Williams

“What is unusual is the Liberal Party funnelling funds to an independent who is running against a Liberal candidate, and one who is facing serious criminal charges,” he said.

“How bad does the actual Liberal candidate for Mount Gambier have to be for [another Liberal MP] to fund the former Liberal MP who is facing corruption charges.”

Mr Williams was unable to be contacted on Thursday evening but Mr Bell told The Advertiser the transfer was part of an annual commitment, made three years in a row.

“It was a commitment made around the middle of the year and it can’t be used for campaigning reasons so Mitch is a man of his word and he’s honoured his commitment,” he said.

“(The money is) really to communicate with the electorate on issues.”

Mr Bell also hit back at assertions it was unusual that a Liberal politician financially assisted an independent politician.

“In many ways my standing down from the Liberal party doesn’t mean that I don’t have those beliefs that I held beforehand,” he said.

“Obviously we’re at the pointy end of an election cycle so tricks like this don’t really surprise me.”

“If the Treasurer was really concerned about these types of things I’d ask for full disclosure on where all Global Allowances have been transferred and which candidates have received it.”

Mr Bell would also not rule out seeking to rejoin the Liberal party, pending the outcome of his court case and the March election.

“I can’t rule anything in or out but I’ve got to ... see where the cards lie after the next election and also when my matter is resolved,” he said.