Ben Hardman

Benedict (Ben) Paul Hardman (born 4 August 1964) is an Australian politician.

He was a Labor Party member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly from 1999 to 2010, representing the electorate of Seymour.

Hardman was born in Kiama, New South Wales.

He graduated in 1989, and worked as a teacher at Highlands Primary School before being appointed principal of Flowerdale Primary School in 1996, a role he held until his election to parliament.

Seymour was a Liberal-leaning seat that had been easily held by retiring Liberal minister Marie Tehan, and Hardman was not expected to win; however, amidst the Bracks government's surprise victory he emerged successful, eking out a narrow win on election day.