A South Australian politician fighting fraud charges appears likely to retain his seat at the March state election, a new poll shows.
State MP Troy Bell, who quit the Liberal Party in August, will win 36.3 per cent of the primary vote in Mount Gambier, ahead of Liberal candidate Craig Marsh on 28.5 per cent, the ReachTEL poll by Australian Forest Products Association has found.
Mr Bell is facing more than 20 charges relating to alleged misuse of taxpayer funds, stemming from a referral to the state's Independent Commissioner Against Corruption.
He is accused of misappropriating more than $2 million from a training provider prior to entering politics.
Mr Bell has previously said he will vigorously fight the allegations against him.
South Australians go to the polls on March 17.
Australian Associated Press
