In a parliamentary government, would the Minister of Finance be a front or back bencher?

Answer 1

Front
all the Ministers are "front benchers". Finance minister comes right after the Prime Minister
back benchers are the "unemployed" members of parliament- they carry the votes but hold no official function (except being an MP)

NOTE applies only in those countries where there is a requirement that Ministers must be MP's . Most countries do not have this requirement, and some even forbid it.