Troy Bell pleads guilty to deception charges

Former Mount Gambier MP Troy Bell has pleaded guilty to 15 counts of deception in the Adelaide Magistrates Court. The charges involve the false claiming of more than $34,000 in parliamentary allowances between 2015 and 2020. These allowances are intended for country MPs requiring accommodation in Adelaide for parliamentary business.

Bell, who is currently serving a prison sentence, previously denied these allegations. Sentencing submissions for the deception charges, which carry a maximum penalty of 10 years' imprisonment, are scheduled for December 11.

This development follows a September 2024 conviction where a South Australian District Court jury found Bell guilty of 20 counts of theft and five counts of aggravated dishonest dealings. He was sentenced in October 2025 to five years in prison for stealing $435,000 of public funds intended for disadvantaged students to cover personal expenses, including home renovations and credit card debt. Bell lost an appeal in August 2025 and is eligible for parole in April 2028.