Benjamin Cameron Franklin (born 1972/1973[1]) is an Australian politician. He served as a member of the New South Wales Legislative Council from March 2015 until March 2019, representing the National Party.[2] He resigned in 2019 to contest the Legislative Assembly seat of Ballina, but was defeated by the incumbent Greens MP Tamara Smith.[3] He was subsequently appointed in May 2019 to fill the casual vacancy caused by his own resignation.[4] Franklin served as the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, the Minister for the Arts, and the Minister for Regional Youth in the second Perrottet ministry from December 2021[5] to March 2023.
Ben Franklin | |
|---|---|
 | |
| President of the New South Wales Legislative Council | |
| Assumed office 9 May 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Matthew Mason-Cox |
| Member of the New South Wales Legislative Council | |
| Assumed office 8 May 2019 | |
| In office 28 March 2015 – 1 March 2019 | |
| Minister for Aboriginal Affairs | |
| In office 21 December 2021 – 28 March 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Don Harwin |
| Succeeded by | David Harris |
| Minister for the Arts | |
| In office 21 December 2021 – 28 March 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Don Harwin |
| Succeeded by | John Graham |
| Minister for Regional Youth | |
| In office 21 December 2021 – 28 March 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Bronnie Taylor |
| Succeeded by | Position abolished |
| Minister for Tourism | |
| In office 5 August 2022 – 28 March 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Stuart Ayres (Tourism and Sport) |
| Succeeded by | John Graham |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1972 or 1973 (age 51–52) |
| Political party | The Nationals |
| Other political affiliations | Liberal (until c. 2008) |
| Residence | Byron Bay |
Prior to his election, Franklin served as the State Director of the Nationals between 2008 and 2015.[6]
Early life
editThe child of two school teachers,[7] Franklin grew up in Barham and Coal Point before being awarded an academic scholarship to study at Cranbrook School in Sydney.[1] Franklin's great, great uncle was Banjo Paterson.[8]
Franklin studied a BA at the University of Sydney and resided at St Paul's College during his studies.
He is a former member of the Liberal Party and President of the NSW Young Liberals (2001–2002).[1]
Career
editFranklin was the Communications Director for UNICEF Australia before being appointed State Director of the Nationals in 2008, where he served until his election to the NSW Legislative Council in March 2015.[7] Preselected to the leading position on the Nationals ticket while a resident of Kirribilli in Sydney's lower north shore,[8] Franklin vowed to move to the NSW North Coast upon his election.[1][8] He currently lives in Byron Bay.
In January 2017, Franklin was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Renewable Energy and Northern NSW. In December 2021, Franklin was appointed as the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, the Minister for the Arts, and the Minister for Regional Youth.[9] Following Stuart Ayres' resignation, Franklin assumed the portfolio of Minister for Tourism.[10]
In the aftermath of the 2023 New South Wales state election, Franklin controversially decided to run for President of the Legislative Council, which would mean that the Nationals would have one fewer seat on the floor of the chamber. Adding to the controversy was Franklin's personal friendship with NSW Premier Chris Minns, despite political differences.[11] Amid the tensions, Paul Toole lost his leadership role to Dugald Saunders.[12] Franklin was subsequently elected as President.
References
edit- ^ a b c d Wood, Alicia (7 April 2014). "Bushwhacked by a city boy: Liberal MP Ben Franklin will move to regional NSW". The Daily Telegraph. Australia. Retrieved 29 March 2015.
- ^ "The Hon. (Ben) Benjamin Cameron Franklin, MLC". Members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 7 April 2019.
- ^ "Ballina: NSW State Election Results 2019". NSW Electoral Commission. Archived from the original on 25 September 2024. Retrieved 7 April 2019.
- ^ "Ben Franklin returns to the NSW upper house". Echonetdaily. 31 May 2019. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
- ^ "Parliament, Ministerial, Courts and Police (662)" (PDF). Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales. 21 December 2021.
- ^ Patty, Anna (16 February 2014). "Politicians to battle it out for a spot in the upper house". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 29 March 2015.
- ^ a b "Ben Franklin: Candidate for the Legislative Council". National Party. Retrieved 29 March 2015.
- ^ a b c Murphy, Damien (10 March 2015). "National Party's Ben Franklin cites Banjo Paterson heritage in defence of going bush". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 29 March 2015.
- ^ Perrottet, Dominic; Toole, Paul (20 December 2021). "Energy and experience to deliver for NSW" (Press release). Government of New South Wales. Archived from the original on 21 March 2023.
- ^ "Changes to NSW ministerial arrangements" (Press release). NSW Government. 3 August 2022. Archived from the original on 1 April 2023.
- ^ Kennedy, Jean; Roe, Isobel (3 May 2023). "'Consequences' flagged by New South Wales Nationals if Ben Franklin accepts upper house president role". ABC News. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
- ^ Cockburn, Paige (8 May 2023). "NSW Nationals leadership spill sees Paul Toole replaced by Dugald Saunders". ABC News. Archived from the original on 25 September 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2023.