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Award-winning journalist Simon Benson is The Australian’s Political Editor. He was previously National Affairs Editor, the Daily Telegraph’s NSW political editor, and also president of the NSW Parliamentary Press Gallery. He grew up in Melbourne and studied philosophy before completing a postgraduate degree in journalism.

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COMMENTARYCommentary

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Adam Bandt, leader of the Greens speaks to media in the seat of Wills at Brunswick East Primary School on May 03, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. Australians headed to the polls on Saturday for the 2025 federal election, where all 150 seats in the House of Representatives and 40 of 76 Senate seats are up for grabs. This election is especially consequential due to a tightly contested race, with cost-of-living pressures, affordable housing, and energy policy dominating the campaign. Though most polls indicate a narrow Labor victory against the Liberal-National coalition, the result could also lead to a hung parliament, reflecting the growing influence of independents and minor parties, and potentially reshaping the balance of power in Australia in the years ahead. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)

Bandt’s loss is Albanese’s (second) sweetest victory of all

Adam Bandt’s utopian vision of turning the next parliament into the most progressive in the nation’s history may still be realised, it just won’t include him.

Simon Benson

commentaryPolitics

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Opposition Leader Peter Dutton concedes defeat during a Liberal Party election night event at W Hotel on May 03, 2025 in Brisbane, Australia. Anthony Albanese and the Labor Party secure a second term as Australians rejected Peter Dutton's pitch for a conservative shift amid persistent cost-of-living and housing concerns. Dutton's defeat marks a setback for the Liberal-National coalition, reflecting shifting voter preferences. (Photo by Dan Peled/Getty Images)

Labor impetus surged after Dutton dumped work from home

The shock and awe moment came about 7.45pm on Saturday night when it became clear Dutton’s seat of Dickson and the neighbouring LNP seat of Bonner were going to fall to Labor.

Simon Benson

commentaryPolitics

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 27: Opposition Leader Peter Dutton stands alongside Former Prime Minister John Howard during a Liberal Party campaign launch in the seat of Mackellar on April 27, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. Australia will head to the polls on May 3, early voting for the 2025 Australian election has also been highly successful, with more than 524,000 people casting their ballots on the first day alone-breaking previous records. (Photo by Dan Peled/Getty Images)

Labor Left model to challenge economy

Labor’s re-election poses deeper challenges to addressing the culture of dependency before it produces the type of shock that will ultimately resolve it for us.

Simon Benson

COMMENTARYPolitics

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Opposition Leader Peter Dutton concedes defeat alongside wife Kirilly and their children Harry and Tom during a Liberal Party election night event at W Hotel on May 03, 2025 in Brisbane, Australia. Anthony Albanese and the Labor Party secure a second term as Australians rejected Peter Dutton's pitch for a conservative shift amid persistent cost-of-living and housing concerns. Dutton's defeat marks a setback for the Liberal-National coalition, reflecting shifting voter preferences. (Photo by Dan Peled/Getty Images)

Out of touch, out of time: Libs told nation had changed but didn’t listen

Of all the mistakes that led to this, one was fatal for Peter Dutton and the Coalition. The untested and superior assumption that Labor was out of touch.

Simon Benson

COMMENTARYCommentary

NCA 2025 FEDERAL ELECTION BUS. 3/05/2025 Australian Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese In Sydney NSW. The PM visits the suburb of Five Dock which is in the electorate of Reid with and Jodie.Five Dock Public School they will meet with the Member for Reid, Sally Sitou, and will say hi to vollies and voters. Picture: Jason Edwards / NewsWire

A calamity for the Coalition and a stunning win for Anthony Albanese

Dutton’s defeat represents a complete collapse of the Coalition’s political operation. This is a complete reversal of the global dynamics that western governments faced 12 months ago.

Simon Benson

commentaryPolitics

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 27: Opposition Leader Peter Dutton shakes hands with Former Prime Minister John Howard during a Liberal Party campaign launch in the seat of Mackellar on April 27, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. Australia will head to the polls on May 3, early voting for the 2025 Australian election has also been highly successful, with more than 524,000 people casting their ballots on the first day alone-breaking previous records. (Photo by Dan Peled/Getty Images)

Major parties’ primary failings hardly a minor matter

The ALP and the Liberals have their heads in the sand over declining vote.

Simon Benson

CommentaryPolitics

(FILES) Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (L) talks with Australia's Opposition Leader Peter Dutton at the Wishing Tree at Parliament House in Canberra on November 6, 2024. Australia holds a general election May 3, 2025, a hard-fought contest between party leaders with sharply contrasting visions for the country. (Photo by TRACEY NEARMY / AFP)

Unwanted result looms for major players

Australians are poised to send a blunt message to both Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton on Saturday night if the final Newspoll on the eve of the election is any indication.

Simon Benson

EXCLUSIVEPolitics

Anthony Albanese campaigned in Devonport, Tasmania, while Peter Dutton visited Perth. Pictures: Jason Edwards / Newswire / Getty Images

Final Newspoll: PM to defy historic major party slump

The final Newspoll of the campaign shows Labor ahead of the Coalition, with a majority of voters claiming they would be better off personally over the next three years under Anthony Albanese.

Simon Benson

commentaryPolitics

CARRICK, AUSTRALIA - MAY 01: Opposition Leader Peter Dutton speaks during a press conference at Agfest in the electorate of Lyons on May 01, 2025 in Carrick, Australia. Australia will hold a federal election on May 3. (Photo by Dan Peled/Getty Images)

An opportunity lost to capitalise on agenda

The Coalition’s detailed budget costings document is probably more revealing about Peter Dutton’s agenda for government than the totality of policies they have announced so far during the campaign.

Simon Benson

commentaryPolitics

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos APRIL 22: 2025 Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during the third leaders' debate, The Great Debate hosted by Nine, during the 2025 federal election campaign at the Nine studio in Sydney, NSW, on Tuesday 22 April. Picture: Alex Ellinghausen / POOL/ via NewsWire

When you think you have it by the throat … surprise!

There are some parts of the country that are buying Peter Dutton’s message and not buying Labor’s. The question is whether it will be enough for the Coalition to make the inroads it needs.

Simon Benson

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/author/simon-benson