bennett was born in tettenhall then an urban district in staffordshire, england. in 1966, he migrated to australia with his parents, howard bennett (1922–1997) and joan bennett (1922–2007) and his two siblings. he completed his final year of primary education in australia then attended maclean high school, maclean, new south wales. he was a member of the school debating team taking part in inter-school competitions, a member of the radio club, student leader of the inter-school christian fellowship chapter and represented his class for a year on the student representative council. he won prizes for acting and for history. after gaining his school certificate, he worked in sydney as an officer in the state civil service 1972–1973. originally an anglican, bennett was baptised into membership of the lower clarence baptist church in 1969. he was active in the christian endeavor movement and as a youth camp leader.