Labor Party state secretary, Stuart Benson, to run for seat of Clark in next state election

“Now is the time to put my hand up, because I’ve never seen so many Tasmanians struggling”: Labor Party state secretary to run for the seat of Clark in next state election. What motivated the move.

Labor State Secretary Stuart Benson at Hobart. Picture: Chris Kidd.

The secretary of the Labor Party, Stuart Benson, who grew up in public housing, will run for the seat of Clark at the next state election to try to help Tasmanians out of homelessness.

Mr Benson, 36, who has led the party for the past seven years, said being raised by a single parent and living with a chronic illness since he was a teenager showed him “the importance of a government that puts people first”.

He joined the Labor Party in 2005 when he moved from Burnie to study at university over plans to introduce WorkChoices.

“It’s been a privilege to serve as state secretary but now is the time to put my hand up because I’ve never seen so many Tasmanians struggling,” he said.

“My mum raised me and my brother in public housing as a single parent and worked hard, but it was social security that helped her keep a roof over our head, pay the bills and put food on the table.

Labor State Secretary Stuart Benson. Picture: Chris Kidd.

“I see the impact of the huge increase in homelessness just walking into work each day.

“There are over 4600 Tasmanians waiting on public housing and I want them to have the same opportunities my family and I were given.”

Mr Benson said many Tasmanians waited months to see medical specialists or undergo basic procedures and with his mother and brother working in the health sector he “hears the stress our hardworking healthcare workers are under”.

He said Labor had improved its fortunes since he became party secretary with more MPs in parliament, more members and “a significantly stronger financial position than when I first came into the role”.

It was due to Rebecca White’s leadership and hard work, he said, that led him to run.

Ms White said there was no one more “dedicated to the Labor Party and its values of fairness and equality than Stuart Benson”.

“His story is one that shows why Labor governments are so important for how they can help improve people’s lives,” she said.

“Growing up in public housing, Stuart will be a champion for people across Clark who need someone who knows how important it is to have a safe place to call home.”

Originally published as Labor Party state secretary, Stuart Benson, to run for seat of Clark in next state election