MacKillop MP Nick McBride to face court on Wednesday charged with assaulting wife

Parliament one week, court the next. Here’s all you need to know about this MP’s court date.

A state MP – and one of South Australia’s richest men – is due to face a magistrate tomorrow charged over the alleged assault of his wife.

MacKillop MP Nick McBride declined to answer any questions about his upcoming court date when he attended parliament last week, but tomorrow, he’s expected to front the Naracoorte Magistrates Court charged with three counts of assault.

It is understood Mr McBride attended Norwood police station last month where he was subsequently charged with three counts of assault on a person known to him.

Mrs Katherine McBride, an experienced registered nurse, said she was “OK” at the time Mr McBride was charged, but did not want to elaborate.

South Australian independent MP Nick McBride. Picture: Keryn Stevens

“I don’t wish to comment on the situation,” she said.

Mr McBride was elected to parliament in 2018 running for the Liberal Party in the Limestone Coast seat of MacKillop.

However in 2023 he quit the party to sit as an independent, citing “dark forces” and “divisive factionalism” within the Liberals.

SA Police did not comment on Mr McBride’s charges, but said a 55-year-old man from the Limestone Coast had been arrested in Norwood on April 10.

“He was charged with three counts of assault on a person known to him,” police said.

“He has been bailed to the Naracoorte Magistrates Court on 7 May.

“The matter is before the court and no further detail will be supplied.”

Nick McBride has been charged with three counts of assault. Picture: Facebook

Just a week ago, Mr McBride attended parliament for business as usual, where he asked about the timeline for completing a new $18m police station in Naracoorte at 31 Smith Street.

He was told by Police Minister Stephen Mullighan that construction would begin soon and completed in late 2027.

Mr McBride issued a short statement after question time saying: “This is a private matter that is currently before the courts”.

“I am here to continue my work as the Member for MacKillop. I will be making no further comment while this process continues.”

Mr McBride is known as a conservative, an atheist and a businessman who “wants lower taxes” but is liberal on social issues.

He lives on the elegant homestead on the 4000ha Conmurra property, 40km out of the town of Kingston SE.

The couple have been married for 30 years and have two children.