Independent MP Nick McBride charged with assault against wife
A leading South Australian MP is scheduled to appear in court, facing serious allegations of assault against his wife.
SA News
Don't miss out on the headlines from SA News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
State MP Nick McBride — one of South Australia’s richest men — has been charged with multiple counts of assault against his wife Katherine.
It is understood Mr McBride attended Norwood police station on Thursday 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” but did not want to elaborate.
“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.
In response to questions from The Advertiser, SA Police released a statement confirming a man was facing multiple charges.
“A 55-year-old man from the Limestone Coast was arrested on 10 April at Norwood,” it states.
“He was charged with three counts of assault on a person known to him.
“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.”
When contacted for comment, Mr McBride referred The Advertiser to his lawyer Danni Stephens – she was also contacted for comment but did not respond.
Mr McBride is a grazier with a political pedigree.
His great-grandfather Sir Philip McBride was a founding member of the Liberal Party of Australia and Defence Minister in the Menzies Government.
The broader McBride family is the 18th largest landholder in the nation with properties covering more than 1.1 million hectares.
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.
Mrs McBride, 53, has carved a career in her own right, as a nurse and working in the not-for-profit aged care sector.
In 2023 she challenged federal MP Tony Pasin for the safe seat of Barker, saying “the fire in her belly is strong” but four-time winner in the seat Mr Pasin retained preselection and will defend a seat with a 16.6 per cent margin at the looming federal election.
More Coverage
Originally published as Independent MP Nick McBride charged with assault against wife
Press Council Adjudication
The Press Council has decided that a series of front page articles concerning the gas industry did not breach its Standards of Practice.
Read more
‘This is historic’: 1000 flock to The Advertiser’s Peter Party
Peterborough has been ravaged by drought, but on Monday there was a flood of joy as The Advertiser’s Peter Party came to town.
Read more