New Greens SA senator confirmed

Former Adelaide City councillor Robert Simms will replace Greens Senator Penny Wright in federal parliament.

Mr Simms' appointment was endorsed by the South Australian parliament on Tuesday after Senator Wright recently announced she was quitting politics because of a family illness.

"As Australia's first openly gay man elected to represent SA in the federal parliament, I am going to continue the important work I was doing with the Adelaide Council to promote pride, respect and diversity for all," Mr Simms said.

He was selected from a field of six candidates voted on by the Greens' SA membership and was also the preferred choice among the party leadership.