Mount Gambier MP Troy Bell, accused of misappropriating more than $2 million of taxpayers' money prior to becoming a member of Parliament, has strenuously denied all charges.

Bell resigned from the Liberal Party last week after it was revealed he had been charged with 20 counts of theft and six counts of dishonestly dealing with documents after an ICAC investigation.

It is alleged the offences took place between 2009 and 2013 when Mr Bell, a former teacher, ran an independent learning centre in Mount Gambier.

Bell has denied any wrongdoing. He said he was "in a state of disbelief and shock", and sick to his stomach over the allegations.

He has not ruled out contesting the next election as an independent and said he was confident his name would be cleared.

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Bell stood in the dock in the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court for the brief hearing.

Crown prosecutor Mark Norman asked the court for a longer than usual adjournment of 16 weeks due to the large amount of paperwork involved.

"The reason for that is we have 30 volumes of A4 material which have to be copied and served to the court and the accused," Mr Norman said.

Magistrate Teresa Anderson placed Bell on bail with a $2,000 cash surety to the court, with conditions he not leave the state or country without first applying for the court's permission.

Lawyer Bill DeGaris speaks to media outside the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court. ( ABC News: Candice Prosser )

She varied his residence condition to allow him to be absent from his address for work purposes within South Australia.

Court documents allege Bell "dishonestly dealt with money" from the Millicent High School, South East Education and Training Association and the Limestone Coast Education and Training Association.

Some charges allege he deceived the organisations to benefit himself.

Lawyer Bill DeGaris told the media Bell would be "defending the charges fully".

"Of course he'll be defending these charges, but we just need to let the court processes take their course," he said.

The case will return to court in December.

Treasurer targets SA Liberal leader

SA Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis criticised Opposition Leader Steven Marshall for the comments he made on Friday when he said it was appropriate for Bell to remain in Parliament while facing charges.

"How can Steven Marshall still think that Mr Bell should spend the next seven months spending every inch, every minute, every hour of the day defending himself rather than fighting for the people of Mount Gambier," Mr Koutsantonis said.

"How can Mr Bell possibly do his job as a member of Parliament while there are 30 volumes of accusations and charges against him relating to nearly $2 million worth of theft from our kids at school.

"It's untenable now for Mr Marshall to continue to support Mr Bell."

Mr Marshall declined to comment, saying he stood by his comments on Friday.

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