His father, a fruiterer by profession, was president of the local branch of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) and twice served as mayor of the City of Richmond.
[1] On 7 December 1976, Lewis was elected to fill a casual vacancy caused by the death of Victorian senator Ivor Greenwood.
He played a key role in the introduction of financial impact statements to the Senate, in 1980 introducing a motion that all bills introduced into the Senate be accompanied by a statement "containing, as applicable, the estimated costs, revenue or savings for government and the estimated costs or savings to the wider community".
The issue was resolved following correspondence between Lewis and Chief Justice Harry Gibbs, which saw the rule amended to remove the retrospective elements.
[1] His speeches on what became the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 attracted attention when he suggested that the legislation would lead to greater levels of adultery from women admitted to previously male-only industries.
[3] In December 1983 he denounced in vitro fertilisation in parliament, stating those involved in the procedure were "in effect playing the role of God" and comparing them to "the Nazis endeavouring to manipulate the human race in Germany".
[1] In November 1989, it was announced that Lewis would become acting leader of the Liberal Party in the Senate, with Chaney resigning to contest a House of Representatives seat at the 1990 election.
[4] However, he was sacked from shadow cabinet in February 1990 following a 7.30 interview in which he stated that Peacock would be removed as leader if the party lost the election, as well as dismissing suggestions that Howard could return to the leadership.