One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has nominated her senior adviser, Sean Bell, to fill the Senate seat vacated by New South Wales (NSW) Senator Warwick Stacey.
Stacey resigned in August, just three months after entering parliament, citing health issues that made it impossible for him to commit fully to the role.
Bell, 38, has spent the past nine years working alongside Hanson, most recently as her senior adviser.
His appointment must still be ratified.
In a statement released on Sept. 16, Bell said his priorities in Canberra would include “ending mass immigration, wasteful spending, and ideological agendas that punish working Australians.”
He pointed to housing affordability, infrastructure overload and soaring energy prices as being impacted by immigration and net-zero policies.
“Too many people in regional NSW feel completely ignored by politicians in Canberra,” he added.
From Retail Floors to Canberra Halls
Bell’s personal background is also central to his pitch.
A husband and father, he worked in retail, hospitality and as a labourer before starting his own business as a claims assessor.
He later moved into politics, where he has advised Hanson through her most high-profile battles.
“I’m fortunate to have worked closely with one of Australia’s most prominent and experienced political leaders,” Bell said.
Hanson Praises Longtime Adviser
Hanson said Bell had been a pivotal part of One Nation’s resurgence, including its campaign against the Indigenous Voice to Parliament and its strong federal election result earlier this year.
At the 2025 election, the party doubled its Senate representation from two to four, putting it on equal footing with the Nationals in the upper house.
“Sean has played a key role in One Nation’s rise,” she said. “I have every confidence he will represent the people of NSW with conviction, skill, dedication and the conservative values which made this nation great.”
Stacey, in his resignation statement, had thanked Hanson, colleagues and voters for their support and said it would be “wrong” to continue without being able to dedicate himself fully.
“I don’t think a person elected to Parliament should be anything less than completely dedicated,” he said, offering best wishes to his successor.
