in a python shell 
Python 2.3.4
>>> from gst import *
>>> mySpider = Element('spider')
>>> print mySpider
<gst.Bin object (GstBin) at 0x40208f2c>
>>>mySpider.get_property('name')
spider
>>>
the object expected is GstSpider.
The default name of the object is
spider0 (as described by <gst-inspect spider>)


Problem occurs with Gstreamer 0.8.5 and gst-python 0.7.6

I am not sure if it is a problem but it might be helpful to know that 
when doing 
$<gst-inspect spider>
the output in the last 20 lines looks like this:

INIT------------gst-inspect spider--------------

Pads:
  UNKNOWN!!!: 'sink'
, ghost of real pad sink_ident:sink
    Implementation:
    Pad Template: 'sink'

Element Properties:
  name                : The name of the object
                        String. (Default "spider0")
  factories           : allowed factories for autoplugging
                        Unknown type 68 "gpointer"

Children:
  sink_ident

EXIT------------gst-inspect spider-----------

There is a bunch of unknowns over here which might be causing the problem
but nevertheless gst-launch works perfectly fine.

Georgi.T.D