Overview

• South Australia's Court of Criminal Appeal rejected Troy Bell's challenge, allowing sentencing to proceed, and he said he will stand down while he considers any further legal avenues.
• A jury in September 2024 found him guilty of 20 counts of theft and five counts of dishonest dealing, with unanimous verdicts on all but two theft charges that were majority decisions.
• Prosecutors said more than $430,000 intended for programs helping vulnerable students was diverted to personal expenses including home renovations, flights to Los Angeles and mortgage payments.
• Judge Rauf Soulio heard sentencing submissions in March and will set a date, having previously noted that proceeding to sentence may require Bell's expulsion and a by-election.
• Any by-election decision rests with Speaker Leon Bignell, acting on Electoral Commission advice, while the next South Australian state election is scheduled for March 2026.