South East SA local news briefing, 24 September 2026 - ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Here's what's making news in the South East SA region today.

One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce has hit out at the party's political enemies while speaking to a large crowd in Mount Gambier.

Mr Joyce toured the Limestone Coast yesterday with One Nation state parliamentarians, meeting local farmers and forestry industry representatives.

His visit came as he claimed party members had met with Coalition figures to discuss a confidence and supply pact, which senior Liberals denied.

Mr Joyce told the crowd One Nation was "on the move" and changing Australian politics.

A magistrate will decide today whether former MacKillop MP Nick McBride and his father Phillip will be tried separately or together over assault charges.

Nick McBride and his father Phillip are both charged with aggravated assault against Nick's former wife, stemming from an incident at Conmurra Station on 27 December 2025.

Nick McBride is charged with a further six counts of assault against his former wife, alleged to have occurred in 2024.

In the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court, Jane Powell SC, for Phillip McBride, made an application to have his charge tried separately from his son's, saying he has no connection to Nick's other charges.

They argued any evidence given relating to the other charges would be prejudicial and inadmissible against Phillip.

Ciara Fanning-Walsh, for the prosecution, argued the charges relating to both men are linked and the evidence would be the same, meaning a separate trial would be superficial.

Magistrate Kylie Schultz will give her ruling later today.

The Kingston District Council is progressing plans for a weir at Maria Creek, which the community hopes will stop flooding and create a place for a local boat ramp.

The Rosetown area of Kingston has flooded during storm events, with seawater pushing back up and over the creek's banks during heavy winds and high tides.

The Kingston Recreational Fishers Association put forward the plan, and chair Lynton McInnes said it was a better idea than a flood levee.

Artefacts belonging to the family of explorer Lawrence Wells will be returned to his birthplace near Penola this week.

Wells was born at Yallum Station in 1860 and went on to explore and survey parts of South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

His great-grandson, Richard Davies, will present the artefacts to the Penola National Trust Branch, and they will be displayed at Yallum.

Mr Davies said the items would help visitors better understand Wells's life and achievements.

The Invasive Species Council is calling on the Victorian government to increase funding for deer eradication, in line with a South Australian program being rolled out in western Victoria.

South Australia is funding a 14-month pilot program that includes an on-ground coordinator to help landholders, Landcare groups and government agencies coordinate pest surveillance and control.

Invasive Species Council conservation advocate John Kelly said the trial showed what Victoria could be doing.

The Victorian government has been contacted for comment.