A former Australian Democrats senator who pioneered legislation to strike anti-gay discrimination from federal laws has died in Melbourne following a long battle with liver cancer.
Described by Tasmanian activist Rodney Croome as "one of the Federal Parliament’s first and most effective advocates against sexuality discrimination", Siegfried ‘Sid’ Spindler died on March 1, the 30th anniversary of the Sydney Mardi Gras.
As a single-term senator in the early 1990s, Spindler introduced a private member's bill to outlaw anti-LGBT discrimination at the federal level.
Though it never drew the support of the major parties, the bill sparked a senate inquiry to which hundreds of LGBT people wrote submissions and before which scores appeared in person.
"[The] inquiry visited all the state capitals and collected volumes of sometimes harrowing evidence of discrimination in employment, housing and education," Croome said.
"What was even more important was the example Spindler set. Wherever he went around Australia he made the case for fair treatment gently and compellingly. His devotion to the issue inspired his colleagues in the Democrats, and in other parties, to do the same."
Gay activist and former senator Brian Greig said the inquiry "helped educate federal MPs across the political spectrum".
"He was the reason I joined the Democrats," Greig said.
"The 'Spindler Bill', as it became known, is the precursor to the reforms currently before [Federal Attorney-General Robert] McClelland.
"It was the start of the omnibus legislative momentum currently in our parliamentary processes."
As a migrant from Poland, Spindler had seen first-hand the horrors of the Nazi regime and the experience inspired him to oppose prejudice.
"His wartime experiences undoubtedly influenced his strong passion for justice and against war, and made him starkly aware of the dangers of racism and demonisation of others," said former colleague Senator Andrew Bartlett.
Mr Spindler's widow, Julia, told the Herald-Sun newspaper her husband, who had studied law after first building a successful painting and decorating business, was motivated by a sense of justice.
"He wanted Australia to be just. The over-riding principle was justice and fairness for all," she said.
Greig said Spindler was "a jolly fellow with a good heart and a passion for human rights".
"Sid would have found it amusing that he died on the night of Mardi Gras. He marched in the parade in 1999 under the banner of ‘Keeping the Bastards Glamorous’, and I know that when the 58 HREOC reforms pass the Senate later this year, Sid’s voice will be calling 'Aye' from the heavens."
The service to celebrate the life of Sid Spindler was held in the German Lutheran Trinity Church, East Melbourne, on Friday, March 7.
Iain Clacher
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