Ben Wyatt
| Ben Wyatt MLA | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Constituency | Victoria Park |
| Shadow Treasurer; Shadow Minister for Minister for Federal State Relations | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 26 September 2008 |
|
| Member of the Western Australian Parliament for Victoria Park |
|
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 11 March 2006 |
|
| Preceded by | Geoff Gallop |
| Personal details | |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Political party | Australian Labor Party |
| Spouse(s) | Vivianne Wyatt |
| Relations | Cedric Wyatt (father) Ken Wyatt (cousin) |
| Alma mater | UWA LSE RMC, Duntroon |
| Profession | Lawyer |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Australia |
| Service/branch | Australian Army Reserve |
| Years of service | 1996-? |
| Awards | Australian Defence Medal |
Benjamin Sana (Ben) Wyatt is an Indigenous Australian politician. He has been an Australian Labor Party member of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly since March 2006, representing the electorate of Victoria Park.
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[edit] Early life and education
Wyatt is the son of Cedric Wyatt, a former public servant and political aspirant who was a member of the Stolen Generations. He is a cousin of Ken Wyatt, a Liberal member of the House of Representatives.[1]
Like his father he attended Aquinas College, Perth.[2] Wyatt graduated from the University of Western Australia in 1996 with a Bachelor of Laws. While studying he briefly worked in a liquor store.
He later attended the London School of Economics where he completed a Masters Degree in Comparative Politics.
[edit] Working life
After being admitted to practice as a lawyer in 1998, Wyatt joined the Western Australian Director of Public Prosecutions Office as prosecutor.
He later joined the Perth office of law firm Minter Ellison. In 2004, while still working for Minter Ellison, Wyatt was elected to the board of Indigenous Business Australia.
[edit] Politics
In 2006, after Dr. Geoff Gallop resigned, he became the front-runner for preselection in the electorate of Victoria Park. He is the third Aboriginal to be elected to the WA Parliament, and the second youngest in the current parliament.
In 2008 Wyatt was cleared by the Corruption and Crime Commission in relation to dealings with lobbyist Brian Burke. Burke approached Wyatt in order to launch a parliamentary enquiry that would favour one of Burke's associates.[3]
After Labor's defeat in the 2008 state election he was promoted to the role of Shadow Treasurer in the new shadow cabinet as well as Shadow Minister for Federal-State Relations, Culture and the Arts. [4]
In January 2011 Wyatt intended to challenge WA Labor leader Eric Ripper, but withdrew after finding minority support amongst caucus.[1][5][6]
[edit] References
- ^ a b "Labor ready to dump Ripper". Herald Sun (Herald and Weekly Times). 4 January 2011. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/ipad/labor-ready-to-dump-ripper/story-fn6bfkm6-1225981316906. Retrieved 5 January 2011.
- ^ Wyatt’s First Speech in Parliament
- ^ "ABC Online News - CCC clears MPs over Burke dealings". 2008. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/06/10/2270637.htm. Retrieved 2008-06-10.
- ^ "Parliament member list". 2008. http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/Parliament/Memblist.nsf/WAllMembersFlat/Wyatt,+Benjamin+(Ben)+Sana?opendocument. Retrieved 2008-11-29.
- ^ Jones, Lloyd (5 January 2011). "Wyatt to challenge for WA Labor leadership". Sydney Morning Herald (Fairfax). http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/wyatt-to-challenge-for-wa-labor-leadership-20110105-19g4i.html. Retrieved 5 January 2011.
- ^ Wyatt withdraws leadership challenge: ABC News 7 January 2011
