David Bennett (New Zealand politician)

The Honourable
David Bennett
MP
Minister of Veterans' Affairs
Assumed office
20 December 2016
Prime Minister Bill English
Preceded by Craig Foss
Minister for Food Safety
Assumed office
20 December 2016
Prime Minister Bill English
Preceded by Jo Goodhew
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–present 51st Hamilton East 37 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 elected to cabinet after Bill English became Prime Minister, and is currently Minister for Food Safety, Minister for Veterans' Affairs, and Minister for Racing.

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. ↑ http://www.davidbennett.co.nz
New Zealand Parliament
Preceded by
Dianne Yates		 Member of Parliament for Hamilton East
2005–present 		Incumbent
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