Former Liberal leader Isobel Redmond gives evidence in trial of Mount Gambier MP Troy Stephen Bell

An MP who allegedly stole money from groups he set up for kids’ education told ex-Liberal leader Isobel Redmond he ‘had a way around’ an ICAC probe, a court has heard.

An SA MP who allegedly stole funds from educational not-for-profit groups contacted a former Liberal leader during the height of an ICAC investigation to ask for “a pretty good lawyer”, a jury has heard.

Isobel Redmond, the opposition leader from 2009 to 2013, gave evidence in the District Court on Monday in the trial of Mount Gambier MP Troy Stephen Bell.

Mr Bell has pleaded not guilty to 20 counts of theft and six counts of dishonest dealings with documents. 

An intercepted phone call from 2016 between Ms Redmond and Mr Bell was played to a jury on Monday, where both parties can be heard commenting on the allegations.

“I think I might need the name of a pretty good lawyer – they are going through everything,” Mr Bell said.

“You’re joking,” Ms Redmond replied.

Former Liberal leader Isobel Redmond. Picture: Bianca De Marchi

Mr Bell said: “I think I’ve got a way around it anyway, but there’s a little bit of smoke there.

“I don’t want to be too clever … That’s why I need some specific advice. The principal (of Millicent High School) I’m 99 per cent sure would back me up, but you never know when they hit the stand.”

He told her investigators were focused on a transfer from an “account into my personal account, which I’ll have to defend”.

Mr Bell is alleged to have taken funds from not-for-profit Independent Learning Centre (ILC) – an organisation he set up in 2006 to encourage at-risk and disadvantaged children to further their education.

The allegations also relate to two other not-for-profit associations in conjunction with the ILC – the South East Education and Training Association (SEETA) and the Limestone Coast Education and Training Association (LCETA).

A court previously heard he used the money on home renovations and flights to Los Angeles for both him and his partner.

The jury previously heard the phone calls were intercepted by ICAC officers.

Troy Bell is seen leaving District Court. Picture: NewsWire / Roy VanDerVegt

In the recording played to the jury on Monday, Ms Redmond can be heard comforting Mr Bell – offering to “find him some reasonable legal advice”.

“Try not to worry about it and certainly don’t make any decisions without –,” she said.

“I won’t do anything without talking to you,” Mr Bell replied. “I guess my fear is small communities, this is a very, very small community who probably love me to bits.”

“You’ve got enough political capital in your community to ride out something far worse than this,” Ms Redmond replied. “I’m sure you’d be acknowledged as a decent, honest bloke and so I don’t think there’s a great risk to you in terms of your seat and your capacity to hold it.

“Once you’ve got some advice, then you’ll probably feel a little bit sort of more comfortable about it. I know, from 30 years of going to court cases with people, the anticipation of what things are going to happen is far worse and far more stressful than the reality of actually being in a courtroom.”

On Monday, Ms Redmond told the court she spoke with Mr Bell again shortly after their intercepted conversation, acknowledging he appeared “upset and worried” on the phone.

“I spoke to Troy later – after the end of that conversation – to suggest he might like to meet with someone at my son’s firm,” she said.

“Within a few days, there was an arrangement for Troy to attend to meet with Stephen Ey at that firm. I attended that meeting with him.”

Ms Redmond told the court she had acted as a mentor for Mr Bell during his early days as Mount Gambier’s elected MP.

The trial continues.

Originally published as Former Liberal leader Isobel Redmond gives evidence in trial of Mount Gambier MP Troy Stephen Bell