A former Labor MP accused of blackmailing the state opposition leader has asked South Australians to vote for her in the upcoming election, even though she'll need to wait more than a year to argue her case in court.
Annabel Digance, 64, and her husband Greg, 61, were both charged with blackmailing Labor leader Peter Malinauskas last year.
The Strathalbyn couple appeared in the South Australian District Court for the first time on Friday over their alleged offending.
They again entered not guilty pleas to the charge against them — the first was in December 2021 in the Adelaide Magistrates Court.
Outside of court, Mrs Digance said the couple were fighting to “clear our names and regain our reputations”.
She also read a two-page statement, asking South Australians to vote for her in the upcoming election as she ran as an independent in the Upper House.
“I will not do deals, instead as I have done in the past, will work hard to get results that benefit our community,” she said.
“I believe in transparency of government and accountability of politicians.
“I believe in equal rights, inclusivity, a fair and just society, in performance over pedigree.
“I would welcome your support and vote in allowing me to return to the SA parliament and to cxjmtzywontinue to work hard and support the SA community.”
Mrs Digance told reporters she would work to ensure the health system was properly managed and funded, support small businesses, improve the access and cost of public transport, improve mobile phone and internet services in regional areas and work towards eliminating domestic violence.
During their brief court appearance on Friday, the Digances had their 10-day trial set down for May 2023.
The court was told there were 23 witnesses listed in the case — including Mr Malinauskas — and 34 depositions were filed with the court, so an initially suggested four days was not long enough.
It is alleged between February 12 and March 28, the couple threatened to politically wound Mr Malinauskas ahead of the election to ensure Mrs Digance’s return to politics.
While the alleged threats were reported to be made in early 2020, the Digances were not arrested until April the following year.
