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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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ExclusiveTreasury

***** EMBARGOED TILL 11pm on FRIDAY 5th May 2017 ******Treasurer Scott Morrison in his office at Treasury in Canberra. Picture Kym Smith

Decade ban on Future Fund raids

The $130 billion Future Fund will be quarantined for up to a decade to prevent a premature raid on its coffers.

Simon Benson and DAVID UREN

exclusiveEducation

Minister for Training and Education Simon Birmingham addresses the National Press Club in Canberra. Thursday, 4 May, 2017. (AAP Image/Sean Davey) NO ARCHIVING

Pyne, Abbott ‘loser policy’ clash

Tony Abbott has criticised the Coalition’s school funding changes, earning a rebuke from Christopher Pyne.

DAVID CROWE and Simon Benson

Education

03 May 2017 Townsville, Qld - Archbishop of Sydney Anthony Fisher OP at Townsville airport - Photo: Cameron Laird (Ph: 0418 238811 cameron@cameronlaird.com)

MPs threaten schools face-off

Government MPs are threatening a budget-day showdown over Malcolm Turnbull’s education funding overhaul.

STEFANIE BALOGH, Simon Benson and Rosie Lewis

COMMENTOpinion

Serpent will come back to bite

Malcolm Turnbull’s plan to steal the march on Bill Shorten by stealing his education narrative is starting to unravel.

Simon Benson

National Affairs

2/05/17 Paul Fletcher Minister for Urban Infrastructure pictured on the Western Sydneh Airport Site at Badgerys Creek. Picture Renee Nowytarger. The Australian

Airport seals infrastructure push

The Turnbull government will deliver record infrastructure spending in the budget.

Simon Benson

National Affairs

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull visiting Incitec Pivot factory on Gibson Island in Brisbane. Pictures: Jack Tran

Going it alone on second airport

The Turnbull government will build Western Sydney Airport, with the details to be outlined in next week’s federal budget.

Simon Benson and PRIMROSE RIORDAN

Treasury

Treasurer Scott Morrison during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Friday, March 31, 2017. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas) NO ARCHIVING

Debt hit to be shared around

Government departments and agencies will for the first time be assigned their proportion of government debt.

Simon Benson and DAVID UREN

EXCLUSIVEImmigration

Silhouette of soldierSource: iStock / Getty Images

Terror net nabs 20 visa bids

More than 20 known or suspected terrorists have recently applied for visas to enter Australia.

Simon Benson

exclusiveThe Nation

16/01/2017: Stephanie Fahey; New CEO of Austrade, with the Minister of Trade Steve Ciobo in Sydney.Pic by James Croucher

Ciobo to chase Hong Kong FTA

Australia will pursue a free trade agreement with Hong Kong.

Simon Benson

exclusiveThe Nation

23/04/2017. US Vice President Mike Pence visitsTaronga Zoo in Sydney with his wife Karen and daughters Audrey and Charlotte after bilateral talks during a three day Australia visit. Britta Campion / The Australian.

PM leans on China over N Korea

Malcolm Turnbull has privately increased pressure on the Chinese government to rein in North Korea.

Simon Benson and PRIMROSE RIORDAN

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/author/simon-benson/page/192