00:00We've just met with our legal team and the appeal will be filed, so I can't talk about
00:10the actual appeal, but it will definitely be appealing.
00:13Troy Bell speaking to ABC News for the first time since a jury found him guilty of 20 counts
00:18of theft and 5 counts of dishonestly dealing with documents, charges totaling more than
00:23$400,000.
00:25It's a very difficult position to be in where you can't talk about aspects of the case.
00:31In a statement released later, Mr Bell said these past few days have been incredibly difficult
00:36for my family and myself as we come to terms with the jury's decision.
00:41His decision to challenge last week's guilty verdicts came as the government warned it
00:45could move to oust the Mount Gambier MP from his seat if he didn't appeal.
00:50Given he's now exercising his legal options, the government has decided they will not move
00:57that motion.
00:58Mr Bell is entitled to exercise his legal rights.
01:02Tom Kutzentonis said the government has received its own advice on the situation.
01:07The expulsion from parliament is an irreversible decision.
01:12The finding of guilt by the court can be reversed on appeal.
01:16Parliament has a role to undertake and I respect parliament, so moving forward I'm
01:25always very mindful that these are public positions.
01:30It's unclear if Mr Bell will apply to have taxpayers pick up his legal bills, a move
01:35made possible by changes to the state's anti-corruption laws three years ago.
01:40The Premier says the government is looking at closing the loophole.
01:44We haven't yet received an application so in many respects it's a hypothetical but one
01:48that the former ICAC commissioner drew our attention to and we're contemplating a response.
01:54The case is expected to be back in court later this month.
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