Nationality Australian | Name Troy Bell Role Politician | |
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Political party Liberal Party of Australia Party Liberal Party of Australia | ||
Troy Stephen Bell is an Australian politician representing the South Australian House of Assembly seat of Mount Gambier. Representing the South Australian Division of the Liberal Party of Australia at the 2014 state election, he became an independent in 2017.
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Early life
Bell was born in Mount Gambier where he attended the Suttontown and Mulga Street Primary School and completed his secondary education at Grant High School. Bell then went on to complete a Bachelor of Education at the University of South Australia.
Bell held many positions within the Education Sector, particularly in rural areas of South Australia.
Bell began his teaching career at the Port Augusta Secondary School. Bell then decided to move to Mount Gambier where he established the Independent Learning Centre at Mount Gambier in 2007.
Political career
Bell was elected to the South Australian House of Assembly seat of Mount Gambier at the 2014 state election for a four year term.
In January 2016 Bell was appointed the Chair of the Liberal Party's Regional Affiairs Committee.
Bell quit the Liberals and became an independent on 17 August 2017 after being charged the week prior with 20 counts of theft and six counts of dishonestly dealing with documents. Resulting from the state ICAC, it is alleged that between 2009 and 2013, Bell dishonestly dealt with a substantial sum of public money, and that he used documents known to be false, with the intention of claiming a benefit for himself. He released a statement claiming he is "innocent of these allegations of theft and dishonesty and will defend them in court". He intends to remain in parliament, however the Liberals are re-opening preselection in his seat.
Personal life
Bell and his wife Michaela have 3 children and are actively involved in many community and sporting organisations. These include the Rotary Club of Mount Gambier, South Gambier Football Club and the Kongorong Football Club.