Ben Small (politician)
Benjamin John Small (born 11 June 1988) is an Australian politician. He was selected to serve as a senator for Western Australia, representing the Liberal Party, to fill a casual vacancy following Mathias Cormann's resignation. His first term lasted from November 2020 until his April 2022 resignation, and he resumed his term in May after being nominated to replace himself, the second occasion on which this has occurred. Small was unsuccessful in his re-election bid in the 2022 federal election and his term as senator concluded on 30 June 2022.
Ben Small | |
|---|---|
| Senator for Western Australia | |
| In office 18 May 2022 – 30 June 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Himself |
| Succeeded by | Fatima Payman |
| In office 25 November 2020 – 15 April 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Mathias Cormann |
| Succeeded by | Himself |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Benjamin John Small 11 June 1988 Perth, Western Australia |
| Citizenship | Australian New Zealander (until 2022) |
| Political party | Liberal |
| Alma mater | University of Tasmania (BAppSci) University of Canberra (MBA) |
| Occupation | Logistician Businessman |
Small studied nautical science, marine operations, and business management. He worked in marine transport and logistics for several energy and resource companies, with his holdings in those criticised as a potential conflict of interest. Before becoming a senator, he was active in grassroots politics, and unsuccessfully attempted to enter parliament at the 2016 election. Ideologically, he was considered a member of the National Right faction of the parliamentary Liberal Party.