[1] As Minister for Industrial Relations, in 2002[1] he championed the Federal Awards (Uniform System) Bill, which sought to provide Federal award employment protection to Victoria's non-award covered workers, which was passed by Parliament in 2003.
[1] Due to his status as a member of the Legislative Council, and owing to the constitutional requirement that money bills originate from the lower house, as well as the convention that the treasurer be present during debate on the budget and other financial legislation, Lenders had to be formally voted into the lower house to deliver his budget speeches.
[1] Lenders studied education at Rusden Teachers College after graduating from Trafalgar High School;[1] before going on to study law at Monash University[1] Lenders is a member of the Labor Party and has previously served as its State Secretary and campaign director.
[1] Lenders is also a member of the Australian Services Union;[1] Bicycle Victoria;[1] and is a fellow of the Williamson Community Leadership Program.
[1] In September 2010 Lenders was awarded Honorary Life Membership of the Proportional Representation Society of Australia in recognition of his commitment to reform of the Victorian Legislative Council, which he oversaw in the lead-up to and following the Labor Government's re-election in 2002.