Duncan Spender


Duncan Peter James Spender is an Australian politician, who was a founding member of the Liberal Democratic Party in 2001. In March 2019, he was appointed to the Australian Senate, replacing LDP senator David Leyonhjelm who resigned to unsuccessfully contest the Legislative Council at the 2019 New South Wales state election.
Before his appointment, Spender worked as Leyonhjelm's chief of staff and senior adviser, and as the party's treasurer. As the Parliament of New South Wales was dissolved for the election, Spender's appointment was made by the Governor, David Hurley, with the appointment to be endorsed by the parliament in its next session. This occurred on 8 May 2019.
Spender's seat was for a term that ended on 30 June 2019. He sat in the Senate for just two days, and Senate Estimates for two days. He was a candidate at the 2019 Australian federal election, but did not get elected.
Spender was born in Brisbane. He is the son of former Federal Court judge, Jeffrey Spender.