| David Winderlich | |
|---|---|
| In office 17 February 2009 – 20 March 2010 |
|
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 18, 1964 Adelaide, Australia |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Political party | Independent |
David Winderlich (born 18 January 1964), is an Australian teacher, public servant and politician who in 2009 was appointed to fill a casual vacancy in the South Australian Legislative Council following the November 2008 resignation of Australian Democrats member Sandra Kanck.[1] Being the last Democrat to have sat in any Australian parliament, he is notable mainly for having resigned from the party after sitting for only 9 months, and continuing as an independent. He was defeated at the 2010 election.
On 20 July 2009 Winderlich announced that, unless 1,000 new members joined the Democrats SA division by 23 November, he would leave the party and sit as an independent,[2] which eventuated on 7 October 2009.[3]
Winderlich announced that, as an independent, he would focus on three policy areas: governmental reform,[4][5] rights and freedoms, e.g., for bikies,[6] and a sustainable approach to the management of water resources in South Australia. In particular, he was opposed to the Port Stanvac Desalination Plant and to the Wellington Weir proposal.[7]