David Bennett (New Zealand politician)

The Honourable
David Bennett
MP
Minister of Veterans' Affairs
In office
20 December 2016 – 26 October 2017
Prime Minister Bill English
Preceded by Craig Foss
Succeeded by Ron Mark
Minister for Food Safety
In office
20 December 2016 – 26 October 2017
Prime Minister Bill English
Preceded by Jo Goodhew
Succeeded by Damien O'Connor
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Hamilton East
Assumed office
17 September 2005
Preceded by Dianne Yates
Majority 8,820 (26.58%)
Personal details
Born David Allister Bennett
(1970-10-28) 28 October 1970
Hamilton, New Zealand
Political party National
Committees Chair, Finance and Expenditure Select Committee
Signature
Website davidbennett.co.nz

David Allister Bennett (born 28 October 1970) is a New Zealand politician. He has been a Member of Parliament since 2005, representing the Hamilton East electorate for the National Party.

Early years

Bennett was born on 28 October 1970 in Hamilton. He attended St John's College, Hamilton before gaining an LLB and a BCA from Victoria University of Wellington. Bennett owns two dairy farms near Te Awamutu, and has also worked as an accountant for KPMG, in Auckland.

Member of Parliament

New Zealand Parliament
Years Term Electorate List Party
2005–2008 48th Hamilton East 32 National
2008–2011 49th Hamilton East 44 National
2011–2014 50th Hamilton East 48 National
2014–2017 51st Hamilton East 37 National
2017–present 52nd Hamilton East 24 National

In the 2005 election, Bennett stood as the National Party's candidate for the Hamilton East seat. He was successful, defeating the incumbent MP, Dianne Yates of the Labour Party.

In 2005, Bennett voted for the Marriage (Gender Clarification) Amendment Bill 2005, which would have amended the Marriage Act to define marriage as only between a man and a woman.[1]

In 2009, Bennett voted against the Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill, a bill aimed at amending the Misuse of Drugs Act so that cannabis could be used for medical purposes.[2]

Bennett was the Chair of the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee, and a member of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Select Committee.[3] He was appointed Minister for Food Safety and Minister for Veterans' Affairs outside Cabinet after Bill English became Prime Minister in 2016, and was additionally appointed Minister for Racing in 2017.

Bennett is currently the spokesperson for food safety and racing and the associate spokesperson for immigration.[4]

Personal life

Since 2015, Bennett has been in a long-distance relationship with Australian senator Bridget McKenzie.[5][6]

References

  1. ↑ "Marriage (Gender Clarification) Amendment Bill – First Reading". New Zealand Parliament. 7 December 2005. Archived from the original on 29 February 2016. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
  2. ↑ "Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill — First Reading". Hansard. Wellington, New Zealand: New Zealand House of Representatives. 655: 4850. 1 July 2009. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
  3. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2 September 2018. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
  4. ↑ "Bennett, David". Parliament.nz. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
  5. ↑ "Trans-Tasman relations: Long-distance love for Hamilton East MP David Bennett, who confirms he is in a relationship with Australian senator". NZ Herald. 2016-12-24. Retrieved 2017-11-02.
  6. ↑ Bridget McKenzie: New Zealand enchants another National, The Australian, 9 December 2017. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
New Zealand Parliament
Preceded by
Dianne Yates		 Member of Parliament for Hamilton East
2005–present		 Incumbent
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