Australian politician is charged with multiple counts of assault against his wife

By ASHLEY NICKEL FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: 15:49 BST, 13 April 2025 | Updated: 17:35 BST, 13 April 2025

A prominent state politician has been charged with multiple counts of assault against his wife of more than three decades.

South Australian independent MP Nick McBride attended Adelaide’s Norwood Police Station on Thursday, where he was charged with three counts of assault on a person known to him.

It’s understood the member for MacKillop in the state’s south-east was charged over allegedly assaulting his wife Katherine.

Ms McBride, an experienced nurse and one-time aspiring federal candidate, told the Adelaide Advertiser that she was ‘okay’ but did not wish to comment on the matter.

SA Police confirmed a man was charged with multiple offences. 

‘A 55-year-old man from the Limestone Coast was arrested on 10 April at Norwood,’ a police statement read.

‘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.’ 

Independent South Australian MP Nick McBride (pictured with his wife Katherine) was  charged with three counts of assault on a person known to him

It’s understood Mr McBride (pictured) was charged over allegedly assaulting his wife

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mr McBride for comment. 

A former long-time member of the Liberal party, Mr McBride was elected to state parliament in 2018.

He easily retained his seat at the 2022 election with 62.3 per cent of the primary vote and 72.6 per cent on two-party preferred.

However, Mr McBride spectacularly quit the Liberals a year later, blaming ‘dark forces’ and ‘divisive factionalism’ within the party for his departure.

Mr McBride is one of the richest men in South Australia, while his family is the 18th largest landholder in Australia with properties spanning over 1.1 million hectares.

He described himself as a ‘primary producer, long established business owner, Chairman and board member of numerous local not-for-profit organisations’. 

‘Nick prides himself on his approachability, and the open and honest relationships he has with local people of all ages,’ his website reads.

Nick McBride and his wife Katherine (pictured together) have been married for over 30 years and have two children

Politics runs deep in the McBride family.

His great-grandfather Sir Philip McBride was a founding member of the Liberal Party, who served as a defence minister in the Robert Menzies government.

While Mr McBride is no longer involved with the Liberals, he still holds a largely liberal stance on social issues. 

Mr McBride and his wife have been married for more than 30 years and have two children.

Ms McBride, 53, is a registered nurse who works in the not-for-profit aged care sector. 

She previously attempted a stint in politics when she took on federal MP Tony Pasin for pre-selection in the safe Liberal seat of Barker in 2023.

Despite the ‘fire in her belly’, Ms McBride lost out to incumbent MP, who was pre-elected to contest a fifth term at the May 3 federal election.

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Australian politician is charged with multiple counts of assault against his wife

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