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| website = {{url|http://davidbennett.co.nz/}}
| website = {{url|http://davidbennett.co.nz/}}
| footnotes =
| footnotes =
}}'''David Allister Bennett''' (born 28 October 1970) is a New Zealand [[New Zealand National Party|National Party]] politician. He was first elected the [[Member of parliament|Member of Parliament]] for [[Hamilton East (New Zealand electorate)|Hamilton East]] in 2005, and became a [[list MP]] in 2020. He was Minister for Food Safety and Minister of Veterans' Affairs in final year of the [[Fifth National Government of New Zealand|Fifth National Government]].
}}
'''David Allister Bennett''' (born 28 October 1970) is a New Zealand politician. He has been a [[Member of parliament|Member of Parliament]] since 2005, representing the [[New Zealand National Party|National Party]]. He is the former MP for the [[Hamilton East (New Zealand electorate)|Hamilton East]] electorate from 2005 to 2020, and has been a [[list MP]] since 2020.


==Early years==
==Early years==
Bennett was born on 28 October 1970 in [[Hamilton, New Zealand|Hamilton]]. He attended [[St John's College, Hamilton]] before gaining an [[LLB]] and a [[Bachelor of Commerce and Administration|BCA]] from [[Victoria University of Wellington]]. Bennett owns two [[dairy farming|dairy farms]] near [[Te Awamutu]], and has also worked as an [[accounting|accountant]] for KPMG, in [[Auckland]].{{Citation needed|date=March 2009}}
Bennett was born on 28 October 1970 in [[Hamilton, New Zealand|Hamilton]]. He attended [[St John's College, Hamilton]] before gaining an [[LLB]] and a [[Bachelor of Commerce and Administration|BCA]] from [[Victoria University of Wellington]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=El-Gamel |first=Nancy |date=2016-06-09 |title=Catholic school boys get pep talk from Bill English |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/80890233/catholic-school-boys-get-pep-talk-from-bill-english |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=Stuff |language=en}}</ref> Bennett owns two [[dairy farming|dairy farms]] near [[Te Awamutu]], and has also worked as an [[accounting|accountant]] for KPMG, in [[Auckland]].{{Citation needed|date=March 2009}}


==Member of Parliament==
==Member of Parliament==
Line 94: Line 93:


===Fifth Labour Government, 2005&ndash;2008===
===Fifth Labour Government, 2005&ndash;2008===
In the [[2005 New Zealand general election|2005 election]], Bennett stood as the National Party's candidate for the [[Hamilton East (New Zealand electorate)|Hamilton East seat]]. He was successful, defeating the incumbent MP, [[Dianne Yates]] of the [[New Zealand Labour Party|Labour Party]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Official Count Results -- Hamilton East |url=http://archive.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2005/electorate-15.html |publisher=[[Electoral Commission (New Zealand)|Electoral Commission]] |access-date=23 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200122163751/http://archive.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2005/electorate-15.html |archive-date=22 January 2020 |date=1 October 2005 |url-status=live}}</ref> He retained his position as the Member for Hamilton East until his electoral defeat during the [[2020 New Zealand general election]].<ref name="TVNZ 22 Oct 2020">{{cite news |last1=Whyte |first1=Anna |title=Analysis: The winners, losers, new faces and goodbyes of election 2020 |url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/analysis-winners-losers-new-faces-and-goodbyes-election-2020 |access-date=22 October 2020 |work=[[1 News]] |date=18 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022090204/https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/analysis-winners-losers-new-faces-and-goodbyes-election-2020 |archive-date=22 October 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>
In the [[2005 New Zealand general election|2005 election]], Bennett stood as the National Party's candidate for the [[Hamilton East (New Zealand electorate)|Hamilton East seat]]. He was successful, defeating the incumbent MP, [[Dianne Yates]] of the [[New Zealand Labour Party|Labour Party]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Official Count Results -- Hamilton East |url=http://archive.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2005/electorate-15.html |publisher=[[Electoral Commission (New Zealand)|Electoral Commission]] |access-date=23 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200122163751/http://archive.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2005/electorate-15.html |archive-date=22 January 2020 |date=1 October 2005 |url-status=live}}</ref> In his maiden speech, he remarked that at age 34, he was the youngest National MP elected at that election.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bennett, David: Address in Reply - New Zealand Parliament |url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/document/48HansS_20051117_00000777/bennett-david-address-in-reply |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=www.parliament.nz |language=en}}</ref> In his first term, he was a member of the Transport and Industrial Relations committee.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Bennett, David - New Zealand Parliament |url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/mps-and-electorates/members-of-parliament/bennett-david/ |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=www.parliament.nz |language=en}}</ref> He was an associate spokesperson for transport under National leader [[John Key]] from 1 December 2006.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Key announces his shadow cabinet |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/key-announces-his-shadow-cabinet/GFFYGYYFNDPSS4EZHFLYDIDPYQ/ |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=NZ Herald |language=en-NZ}}</ref>


⚫
=== Fifth National Government, 2008&ndash;2017 ===
In 2005, Bennett voted for the [[Same-sex marriage in New Zealand#Marriage (Gender Clarification) Amendment Bill 2005|Marriage (Gender Clarification) Amendment Bill 2005]], which would have amended the Marriage Act to define marriage as only between a man and a woman.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.nz/en-nz/pb/debates/debates/48HansD_20051207_00001276/marriage-gender-clarification-amendment-bill-%e2%80%94-first|title=Marriage (Gender Clarification) Amendment Bill – First Reading|publisher=[[New Zealand Parliament]]|date=7 December 2005|access-date=18 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160229232900/http://www.parliament.nz/en-nz/pb/debates/debates/48HansD_20051207_00001276/marriage-gender-clarification-amendment-bill-%E2%80%94-first|archive-date=29 February 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
Bennett retained Hamilton East for the duration of the [[Fifth National Government of New Zealand|Fifth National Government]], defeating Labour candidate [[Sue Moroney]] three times.<ref>{{cite web |date=22 November 2008 |title=Official Count Results -- Hamilton East |url=https://electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2008/electorate-13.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200121182131/https://electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2008/electorate-13.html |archive-date=21 January 2020 |access-date=16 November 2020 |publisher=[[Electoral Commission (New Zealand)|Electoral Commission]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=10 December 2011 |title=Official Count Results -- Hamilton East |url=https://electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2011/electorate-13.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200119061540/https://electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2011/electorate-13.html |archive-date=19 January 2020 |access-date=16 November 2020 |publisher=[[Electoral Commission (New Zealand)|Electoral Commission]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=10 October 2014 |title=Official Count Results -- Hamilton East |url=https://electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2014/electorate-13.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200122200414/https://electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2014/electorate-13.html |archive-date=22 January 2020 |access-date=16 November 2020 |publisher=[[Electoral Commission (New Zealand)|Electoral Commission]]}}</ref> He was a member of the [[Finance and Expenditure Committee]] from December 2008 to January 2017 (the last two years as chair), the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee from December 2008 to August 2014 (the last three years as chair), and the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee from 2014 to 2017.


⚫
He was appointed Minister for Food Safety, Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Associate Minister of Transport (outside Cabinet) after [[Bill English]] became Prime Minister in December 2016, and was additionally appointed [[Minister of Racing]] in 2017.<ref>{{cite news |last1=MacKenzie |first1=Jo-Lines |title=David Bennett is Hamilton's first minister in 33 years |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/88000264/david-bennett-is-hamiltons-first-minister-in-33-years |access-date=16 November 2020 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=3 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413220113/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/88000264/david-bennett-is-hamiltons-first-minister-in-33-years |archive-date=13 April 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Minister hoping for first reading before election |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/racing/minister-hoping-first-reading-election |access-date=16 November 2020 |work=[[Otago Daily Times]] |date=11 May 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116095742/https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/racing/minister-hoping-first-reading-election|archive-date=16 November 2020}}</ref> He introduced the Government's Racing Amendment Bill in July 2017 but it was abandoned after National lost the 2017 election.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Turner |first=Jonny |date=2017-08-10 |title=Minister confident tax can be collected |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/racing/minister-confident-tax-can-be-collected |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=Otago Daily Times Online News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Racing Amendment Bill - New Zealand Parliament |url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/bills-and-laws/bills-proposed-laws/document/BILL_74731/racing-amendment-bill |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=www.parliament.nz |language=en}}</ref>
⚫
===Fifth National Government, 2008&ndash;2017===
During the [[2008 New Zealand general election|2008 general election]], Bennett retained Hamilton East by a margin of 8,820 votes, defeating Labour candidate [[Sue Moroney]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Official Count Results -- Hamilton East |url=https://electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2008/electorate-13.html |publisher=[[Electoral Commission (New Zealand)|Electoral Commission]] |access-date=16 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200121182131/https://electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2008/electorate-13.html |archive-date=21 January 2020 |date=22 November 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref> During the [[Fifth National Government of New Zealand|Fifth National Government]], Bennett served as the Chair of the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee, and a member of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Select Committee.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.davidbennett.co.nz/ |title=Latest Brand Designer Men's Shoes and Women's Shoes Online Sales &#124; Free Shipping |access-date=10 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902084859/http://www.davidbennett.co.nz/ |archive-date=2 September 2018 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>


⚫
===Sixth Labour Government, 2017&ndash;2020===
⚫
In 2009, Bennett voted against the [[Cannabis in New Zealand#Legality|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.<ref name="HansardMedCannabisVote">{{cite journal|date=1 July 2009|title=Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill — First Reading|journal=Hansard|volume= 655|page= 4850|location=[[Wellington|Wellington, New Zealand]]|publisher=[[New Zealand House of Representatives]]|access-date=6 December 2016|url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/document/49HansD_20090701_00001165/misuse-of-drugs-medicinal-cannabis-amendment-bill-first}}</ref>
At the [[2017 New Zealand general election|2017 general election]], Bennett retained Hamilton East by 5,810 votes over new Labour candidate [[Jamie Strange]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Hamilton East - Official Result |url=https://electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2017/electorate-details-13.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200213225318/https://www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2017/electorate-details-13.html |archive-date=13 February 2020 |access-date=16 November 2020 |publisher=[[Electoral Commission (New Zealand)|Electoral Commission]]}}</ref> but lost to Strange by a margin of 2,973 votes at the [[2020 New Zealand general election|2020 general election]]. Despite that loss, he was returned as a list MP.<ref name="TVNZ 22 Oct 20202">{{cite news |last1=Whyte |first1=Anna |date=18 October 2020 |title=Analysis: The winners, losers, new faces and goodbyes of election 2020 |work=[[1 News]] |url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/analysis-winners-losers-new-faces-and-goodbyes-election-2020 |url-status=live |access-date=22 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022090204/https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/analysis-winners-losers-new-faces-and-goodbyes-election-2020 |archive-date=22 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=2020 General Election and Referendums - Official Result Successful Candidates |url=https://electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2020/successful-candidates.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107204759/https://electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2020/successful-candidates.html |archive-date=7 November 2020 |access-date=7 November 2020 |publisher=[[Electoral Commission (New Zealand)|Electoral Commission]]}}</ref>


⚫
The National Party was in opposition from October 2017. Bennett held various spokesperson roles for the party, including food safety and racing under the leadership of [[Bill English]], corrections and land information under [[Simon Bridges]], agriculture under [[Todd Muller]] and [[Judith Collins]], and economic and regional development under [[Christopher Luxon]].<ref name=":0" />
During the [[2011 New Zealand general election|2011 general election]], Bennett retained Hamilton East by a margin of 8,275 votes.<ref>{{cite web |title=Official Count Results -- Hamilton East |url=https://electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2011/electorate-13.html |publisher=[[Electoral Commission (New Zealand)|Electoral Commission]] |access-date=16 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200119061540/https://electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2011/electorate-13.html |archive-date=19 January 2020 |date=10 December 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref>


Bennett briefly served as an [[Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives|Assistant Speaker of the House]] in August 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Appointments — Assistant Speakers - New Zealand Parliament |url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/combined/HansDeb_20220809_20220809_16 |access-date=2022-08-10 |website=www.parliament.nz |language=en}}</ref> He will retire at the 2023 election.<ref name=":1" />
During the [[2014 New Zealand general election|2014 general election]], Bennett retained Hamilton East by a margin of 10,199 seats.<ref>{{cite web |title=Official Count Results -- Hamilton East |url=https://electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2014/electorate-13.html |publisher=[[Electoral Commission (New Zealand)|Electoral Commission]] |access-date=16 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200122200414/https://electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2014/electorate-13.html |archive-date=22 January 2020 |date=10 October 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>


== Political views ==
⚫
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 of Racing]] in 2017.<ref>{{cite news |last1=MacKenzie |first1=Jo-Lines |title=David Bennett is Hamilton's first minister in 33 years |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/88000264/david-bennett-is-hamiltons-first-minister-in-33-years |access-date=16 November 2020 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=3 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413220113/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/88000264/david-bennett-is-hamiltons-first-minister-in-33-years |archive-date=13 April 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Minister hoping for first reading before election |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/racing/minister-hoping-first-reading-election |access-date=16 November 2020 |work=[[Otago Daily Times]] |date=11 May 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116095742/https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/racing/minister-hoping-first-reading-election|archive-date=16 November 2020}}</ref>
In 2005, Bennett voted for the [[Same-sex marriage in New Zealand#Marriage (Gender Clarification) Amendment Bill 2005|Marriage (Gender Clarification) Amendment Bill]], which would have amended the Marriage Act to define marriage as only between a man and a woman.<ref>{{cite web |date=7 December 2005 |title=Marriage (Gender Clarification) Amendment Bill – First Reading |url=http://www.parliament.nz/en-nz/pb/debates/debates/48HansD_20051207_00001276/marriage-gender-clarification-amendment-bill-%e2%80%94-first |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160229232900/http://www.parliament.nz/en-nz/pb/debates/debates/48HansD_20051207_00001276/marriage-gender-clarification-amendment-bill-%E2%80%94-first |archive-date=29 February 2016 |access-date=18 July 2012 |publisher=[[New Zealand Parliament]] |df=dmy-all}}</ref> He opposed the [[Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Act 2013|Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill]] at its first and second readings in 2012 and 2013, but voted in support at its final reading in 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carson |first=Jonathan |date=2013-04-18 |title=David Bennett: Why he voted yes |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/editors-picks/8567443/David-Bennett-Why-he-voted-yes |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=Stuff |language=en}}</ref> He supported the [[Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Act 2022|Conversion Practices Bill]] at second and third reading in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Conversion practices ban passes in Parliament |url=https://www.1news.co.nz/2022/02/15/conversion-practices-ban-passes-in-parliament/ |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=1 News |language=en}}</ref>

⚫
===Sixth Labour Government, 2017&ndash;2020===
During the [[2017 New Zealand general election|2017 general election]], Bennett retained Hamilton East by 5,810 votes.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hamilton East - Official Result |url=https://electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2017/electorate-details-13.html |publisher=[[Electoral Commission (New Zealand)|Electoral Commission]] |access-date=16 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200213225318/https://www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2017/electorate-details-13.html |archive-date=13 February 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref>


⚫
In 2009, Bennett voted against the [[Cannabis in New Zealand#Legality|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.<ref name="HansardMedCannabisVote">{{cite journal |date=1 July 2009 |title=Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill — First Reading |url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/document/49HansD_20090701_00001165/misuse-of-drugs-medicinal-cannabis-amendment-bill-first |journal=Hansard |location=[[Wellington|Wellington, New Zealand]] |publisher=[[New Zealand House of Representatives]] |volume=655 |page=4850 |access-date=6 December 2016}}</ref>
⚫
The National Party was in opposition from October 2017. Bennett held various spokesperson roles for the party, including food safety and racing under the leadership of [[Bill English]], corrections and land information under [[Simon Bridges]], and agriculture under [[Todd Muller]] and [[Judith Collins]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/mps-and-electorates/members-of-parliament/bennett-david/|title=Bennett, David|publisher=[[New Zealand Parliament]]|access-date=30 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180630162145/https://www.parliament.nz/en/mps-and-electorates/members-of-parliament/bennett-david/|archive-date=30 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>


In 2019 and 2020, he voted for the [[Abortion Legislation Act 2020|Abortion Legislation Bill]] at all stages. In 2022, he supported the [[Contraception, Sterilisation, and Abortion (Safe Areas) Amendment Act 2022|Contraception, Sterilisation, and Abortion (Safe Areas) Amendment Bill]] at its second and third reading.
During the [[2020 New Zealand general election|2020 general election]], Bennett was defeated by [[New Zealand Labour Party|Labour]] candidate [[Jamie Strange]] by a margin of 2,973 votes.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hamilton East - Official Result |url=https://electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2020/electorate-details-12.html |publisher=[[Electoral Commission (New Zealand)|Electoral Commission]] |access-date=7 November 2020 }}{{Dead link|date=February 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Despite this loss, he was re-elected to Parliament on the National Party [[list MP|list]].<ref>{{cite web |title=2020 General Election and Referendums - Official Result Successful Candidates |url=https://electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2020/successful-candidates.html |publisher=[[Electoral Commission (New Zealand)|Electoral Commission]] |access-date=7 November 2020 |archive-date=7 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107204759/https://electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2020/successful-candidates.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Bennett was in a long-distance relationship with Australian senator [[Bridget McKenzie]] and both are members of their respective countries' National Parties with Senator McKenzie having served as her party's deputy leader between 2017 and 2020.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11772755|title=Trans-Tasman relations: Long-distance love for Hamilton East MP David Bennett, who confirms he is in a relationship with Australian senator|date=2016-12-24|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |access-date=2017-11-02|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>[http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/bridget-mckenzie-new-zealand-enchants-another-national/news-story/69088f1b43bc6dabf6fddfda5c5e184b Bridget McKenzie: New Zealand enchants another National], ''[[The Australian]]'', 9 December 2017. Retrieved 19 December 2017.</ref> On 26 July 2022 Bennett announced his intention to step down from Parliament at the 2023 election in order to spend more time with his first child Julia Elizabeth Bennett and his fiancee Nicky Preston.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/300645641/family-and-farming-new-future-focus-for-retiring-veteran-hamilton-mp|title=Family and farming new future focus for retiring veteran Hamilton MP|date=2022-07-26|work=[[Waikato Times]] |access-date=2022-07-26|language=en-US}}</ref>
Bennett was in a long-distance relationship with Australian senator [[Bridget McKenzie]] and both are members of their respective countries' National Parties with Senator McKenzie having served as her party's deputy leader between 2017 and 2020.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11772755|title=Trans-Tasman relations: Long-distance love for Hamilton East MP David Bennett, who confirms he is in a relationship with Australian senator|date=2016-12-24|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |access-date=2017-11-02|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>[http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/bridget-mckenzie-new-zealand-enchants-another-national/news-story/69088f1b43bc6dabf6fddfda5c5e184b Bridget McKenzie: New Zealand enchants another National], ''[[The Australian]]'', 9 December 2017. Retrieved 19 December 2017.</ref> On 26 July 2022 Bennett announced his intention to step down from Parliament at the 2023 election in order to spend more time with his fiancee Nicky Preston and their first child.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/300645641/family-and-farming-new-future-focus-for-retiring-veteran-hamilton-mp|title=Family and farming new future focus for retiring veteran Hamilton MP|date=2022-07-26|work=[[Waikato Times]] |access-date=2022-07-26|language=en-US}}</ref>


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 23:13, 12 December 2022

The Honourable
David Bennett
MP
Minister of Veterans' Affairs
In office
20 December 2016 – 26 October 2017
Prime MinisterBill English
Preceded byCraig Foss
Succeeded byRon Mark
Minister for Food Safety
In office
20 December 2016 – 26 October 2017
Prime MinisterBill English
Preceded byJo Goodhew
Succeeded byDamien O'Connor
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for National party list
Incumbent
Assumed office
17 October 2020
Member of the New Zealand Parliament
for Hamilton East
In office
17 September 2005 – 17 October 2020
Preceded byDianne Yates
Succeeded byJamie Strange
Personal details
Born
David Allister Bennett

(1970-10-28) 28 October 1970 (age 54)
Hamilton, New Zealand
Political partyNational
Signature
Websitedavidbennett.co.nz

David Allister Bennett (born 28 October 1970) is a New Zealand National Party politician. He was first elected the Member of Parliament for Hamilton East in 2005, and became a list MP in 2020. He was Minister for Food Safety and Minister of Veterans' Affairs in final year of the Fifth National Government.

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.[1] Bennett owns two dairy farms near Te Awamutu, and has also worked as an accountant for KPMG, in Auckland.[citation needed]

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
2017–2020 52nd Hamilton East 24 National
2020–present 53rd List 11 National

Fifth Labour Government, 2005–2008

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.[2] In his maiden speech, he remarked that at age 34, he was the youngest National MP elected at that election.[3] In his first term, he was a member of the Transport and Industrial Relations committee.[4] He was an associate spokesperson for transport under National leader John Key from 1 December 2006.[5]

Fifth National Government, 2008–2017

Bennett retained Hamilton East for the duration of the Fifth National Government, defeating Labour candidate Sue Moroney three times.[6][7][8] He was a member of the Finance and Expenditure Committee from December 2008 to January 2017 (the last two years as chair), the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee from December 2008 to August 2014 (the last three years as chair), and the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee from 2014 to 2017.

He was appointed Minister for Food Safety, Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Associate Minister of Transport (outside Cabinet) after Bill English became Prime Minister in December 2016, and was additionally appointed Minister of Racing in 2017.[9][10] He introduced the Government's Racing Amendment Bill in July 2017 but it was abandoned after National lost the 2017 election.[11][12]

Sixth Labour Government, 2017–2020

At the 2017 general election, Bennett retained Hamilton East by 5,810 votes over new Labour candidate Jamie Strange,[13] but lost to Strange by a margin of 2,973 votes at the 2020 general election. Despite that loss, he was returned as a list MP.[14][15]

The National Party was in opposition from October 2017. Bennett held various spokesperson roles for the party, including food safety and racing under the leadership of Bill English, corrections and land information under Simon Bridges, agriculture under Todd Muller and Judith Collins, and economic and regional development under Christopher Luxon.[4]

Bennett briefly served as an Assistant Speaker of the House in August 2022.[16] He will retire at the 2023 election.[17]

Political views

In 2005, Bennett voted for the Marriage (Gender Clarification) Amendment Bill, which would have amended the Marriage Act to define marriage as only between a man and a woman.[18] He opposed the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill at its first and second readings in 2012 and 2013, but voted in support at its final reading in 2013.[19] He supported the Conversion Practices Bill at second and third reading in 2022.[20]

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.[21]

In 2019 and 2020, he voted for the Abortion Legislation Bill at all stages. In 2022, he supported the Contraception, Sterilisation, and Abortion (Safe Areas) Amendment Bill at its second and third reading.

Personal life

Bennett was in a long-distance relationship with Australian senator Bridget McKenzie and both are members of their respective countries' National Parties with Senator McKenzie having served as her party's deputy leader between 2017 and 2020.[22][23] On 26 July 2022 Bennett announced his intention to step down from Parliament at the 2023 election in order to spend more time with his fiancee Nicky Preston and their first child.[17]

References

  1. ^ El-Gamel, Nancy (9 June 2016). "Catholic school boys get pep talk from Bill English". Stuff. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  2. ^ "Official Count Results -- Hamilton East". Electoral Commission. 1 October 2005. Archived from the original on 22 January 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  3. ^ "Bennett, David: Address in Reply - New Zealand Parliament". www.parliament.nz. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  4. ^ a b "Bennett, David - New Zealand Parliament". www.parliament.nz. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  5. ^ "Key announces his shadow cabinet". NZ Herald. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  6. ^ "Official Count Results -- Hamilton East". Electoral Commission. 22 November 2008. Archived from the original on 21 January 2020. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  7. ^ "Official Count Results -- Hamilton East". Electoral Commission. 10 December 2011. Archived from the original on 19 January 2020. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  8. ^ "Official Count Results -- Hamilton East". Electoral Commission. 10 October 2014. Archived from the original on 22 January 2020. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  9. ^ MacKenzie, Jo-Lines (3 January 2017). "David Bennett is Hamilton's first minister in 33 years". Stuff. Archived from the original on 13 April 2019. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  10. ^ "Minister hoping for first reading before election". Otago Daily Times. 11 May 2017. Archived from the original on 16 November 2020. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  11. ^ Turner, Jonny (10 August 2017). "Minister confident tax can be collected". Otago Daily Times Online News. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  12. ^ "Racing Amendment Bill - New Zealand Parliament". www.parliament.nz. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  13. ^ "Hamilton East - Official Result". Electoral Commission. Archived from the original on 13 February 2020. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  14. ^ Whyte, Anna (18 October 2020). "Analysis: The winners, losers, new faces and goodbyes of election 2020". 1 News. Archived from the original on 22 October 2020. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
  15. ^ "2020 General Election and Referendums - Official Result Successful Candidates". Electoral Commission. Archived from the original on 7 November 2020. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
  16. ^ "Appointments — Assistant Speakers - New Zealand Parliament". www.parliament.nz. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  17. ^ a b "Family and farming new future focus for retiring veteran Hamilton MP". Waikato Times. 26 July 2022. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
  18. ^ "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.
  19. ^ Carson, Jonathan (18 April 2013). "David Bennett: Why he voted yes". Stuff. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  20. ^ "Conversion practices ban passes in Parliament". 1 News. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  21. ^ "Misuse of Drugs (Medicinal Cannabis) Amendment Bill — First Reading". Hansard. 655. Wellington, New Zealand: New Zealand House of Representatives: 4850. 1 July 2009. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
  22. ^ "Trans-Tasman relations: Long-distance love for Hamilton East MP David Bennett, who confirms he is in a relationship with Australian senator". The New Zealand Herald. 24 December 2016. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
  23. ^ Bridget McKenzie: New Zealand enchants another National, The Australian, 9 December 2017. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
New Zealand Parliament
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Hamilton East
2005–2020 		Succeeded by
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