A joint sitting of state parliament on Thursday endorsed Mr Mirabella to fill the casual Senate vacancy created by the resignation of past Upper House president Scott Ryan.

However, it did not occur until after 4.30pm and with Thursday the Senate's last sitting day of the year, Mr Mirabella will have to wait until February to take his place in the chamber.

The Liberal flew to Canberra on Thursday in anticipation of an earlier nod.

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Mr Mirabella said it was "most unfortunate" the Victorian parliament could not ratify his appointment earlier, but noted it still meant he was officially a senator and could establish an office.

He expects it to be in Benalla or Euroa and hopes it may be operational by the end of January.

Earlier in the week it had been anticipated Mr Mirabella's Spring Street approval would occur on Wednesday, allowing him to be sworn in on Thursday for voting purposes on Capital Hill.

The prolonged passage of the pandemic bill through Victoria's parliament blew out that timeframe.

The legislation passed on Thursday afternoon after lengthy debate, including an all-night sitting which saw Wodonga MLC Tim Quilty fall asleep at one point.

He thinks edits to the bill fail to address concerns about government overreach.

"The rights and liberties of Victorians have been diminished and now are at greater risk," Mr Quilty said before thanking those who supported him.

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