Former ACT parliamentarian and Labor Member for Ginninderra Jayson Hinder has been killed in a motorcycle crash in California.
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ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr confirmed the death of the 51-year-old lawyer and Bendigo Bank chairman on Monday.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said it was providing consular assistance to Mr Hinder's family. Members of Mr Hinder's family were believed to be travelling with him in the United States.
Mr Hinder was elected to the ACT Legislative Assembly in March 2016 after a countback of votes from the 2012 election prompted by Mary Porter's retirement. He lost his seat at the October election.
Mr Hinder lived in Giralang and is the father of three grown children.
Mr Barr said the Labor team was deeply saddened.
"Jayson was a great friend to many Canberrans – particularly his constituents and those of us in ACT Labor," he said.
"He was a man committed to the Labor cause and a strong advocate for the people of Ginninderra during his time in the ACT Legislative Assembly. He was passionate about delivering for the people he represented, and he was a powerful voice around the caucus table for services and infrastructure in the north of Canberra."
Liberal leader Alistair Coe expressed his sympathies.
"The Liberal members had a good relationship with Mr Hinder. I spent many hours campaigning alongside Jayson at Kaleen Plaza, Gungahlin Marketplace, and other locations during the 2012 and 2016 campaigns. His broad life experience made him a great conversationalist," Mr Coe said.
"In his inaugural speech, Jayson spoke of the love he had for his wife and children, and his commitment to social justice and hard work. Jayson lived these values and cherished his family."
ACT Greens leader Shane Rattenbury said while Mr Hinder's time in the assembly was short, he made a "thoughtful contribution" during his tenure.
"He was a very warm and welcoming person to work with, and always had time for a friendly conversation," Mr Rattenbury said.
Mr Hinder was born in Canberra, the son of a draughtsman and art teacher.
After his father died aged 43 from emphysema, seven-year-old Jayson was sent to boarding school in the Southern Highlands as his mother was forced to sell the family home and move in as boarding manager at Canberra Girls Grammar.
While working a mechanic, Mr Hinder attended night classes at university to complete his law degree.
He went on to found his own firm, Jayson Hinder and Associates, although retained his love of cars and motorbikes.
When profiled by Fairfax Media in 2015, he owned a Ducati Monster, two BMWs, a 1973 Honda, and a Renault Alpine.
Last year, he called on riders to donate their old motorcycle jackets to people sleeping rough in Canberra as part of the 35th annual Motorcycle Riders' Association ACT blanket run.
Mr Barr said Mr Hinder spent most of his life helping others, raising money for community causes and as a member of sports and community groups.
"He was often seen strapping on the tape to play local rugby and he was an avid supporter of the Brumbies," Mr Barr said.
The chairman of Molonglo Financial Services, Neale Guthrie, said Mr Hinder was on the board for more than eight years till 2016, guiding the Bendigo bank's growth from two to four branches and overseeing the distribution of most of the $1.2 million given in grants and sponsorships.
ACT Law Society president Sarah Avery expressed condolences.
"He was a valued member of the community and the legal profession," she said.
An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated Mr Hinder had been killed in Canada.
