David Bennett (New Zealand politician)
David Bennett | |
---|---|
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 28 October 1970 Hamilton, New Zealand |
Political party | National |
Committees | Chair, Finance and Expenditure Select Committee |
Signature | |
Website | davidbennett |
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.[citation needed]
Member of 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
Bennett was in a long-distance relationship with Australian senator Bridget McKenzie.[5][6]
References
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2 September 2018. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Bennett, David". Parliament.nz. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Bridget McKenzie: New Zealand enchants another National, The Australian, 9 December 2017. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
External links
- Official website
- Profile at New Zealand Parliament
- Profile at National Party
- 1970 births
- Living people
- New Zealand National Party MPs
- Victoria University of Wellington alumni
- Members of the New Zealand House of Representatives
- New Zealand MPs for North Island electorates
- People from Hamilton, New Zealand
- People educated at St John's College, Hamilton
- 21st-century New Zealand politicians
- Candidates in the 2017 New Zealand general election