A ReachTEL poll conducted on 2 March 2017 of 606 voters in post-redistribution Florey indicated a 33.4 percent primary vote for Bedford running as an independent which would likely see the endorsed Labor candidate defeated after preferences.

[5] In December 2017, Snelling decided not to nominate for Florey, and was replaced as Labor's endorsed candidate by Rik Morris.

[11] However, in practice, Bedford was the de facto speaker, with Atkinson generally only taking the chair during opening prayers and Question Time.

[12][10] Bedford introduced ten pieces of legislation into the Parliament during her 25-year parliamentary career with three passing into law.

[15] [16] The law passed the Parliament with a majority of two after Bedford secured the full support of the Labor opposition and her three independent crossbench colleagues.