Overview
- The joint sitting of the NSW Parliament approved Sean Bell's appointment on Thursday to replace Warwick Stacey, who resigned in August citing health reasons.
- Libertarian MLC John Ruddick formally moved Bell's nomination because One Nation has no members in the NSW Parliament.
- An attempt by independent MLC Mark Latham to question Bell's eligibility was defeated 3–100, with the Speaker noting qualification matters rest with the Senate or High Court.
- Reports show Bell is on the Queensland electoral roll, and One Nation says he is moving to NSW, with no constitutional rule requiring a senator to reside in the state.
- Pauline Hanson described Bell, her adviser of nine years, as a trusted pick who would represent NSW with conservative values.