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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.

Latest

exclusiveImmigration

PM Malcolm Turnbull holding a Press Conference with the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection Peter Dutton at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture Kym Smith

Business to pay as 457 visas axed

Companies applying to bring in foreign workers will be forced to pay into a national fund to train Australian workers.

Simon Benson and SARAH MARTIN

exclusiveNational Affairs

Male hands on computer keyboard, low key and high contrast, may suggest cyber crime, hacking, spying. THINKSTOCK.

Cyber attacks now ‘daily’

More than half have fallen victim to successful attacks which have shut down or compromised network and data systems.

Simon Benson

COMMENTOpinion

Turnbull channels inner Trump

It’s hard to imagine Malcolm Turnbull channelling Donald Trump but there it is.

Simon Benson

National Affairs

Australia's former Prime Minister Tony Abbott reacts during a division in the House of Representatives at Parliament House in Canberra, Friday, March 31, 2017. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch) NO ARCHIVING

Ministers quiet over Abbott criticisms

Two senior cabinet ministers have refused to chastise Tony Abbott, revealing growing internal frustration

Simon Benson and Rachel Baxendale

commentOpinion

Airport prepares for takeoff

The defining legacy of Tony Abbott’s prime ministership may well end up becoming Sydney’s $5bn second airport.

Simon Benson

ExclusiveNational Affairs

Chairman of the Property Council of NSW, Paul Fletcher, inside the air traffic control tower at Sydney airportPhoto: Bob Barker.

Coalition locks in Badgerys ‘Plan B’

The Turnbull government has finalised funding contingency plans to build Sydney’s $6 billion second airport.

Simon Benson

commentOpinion

Downsizer tax break a better deal

Considering the Turnbull government’s past form on tinkering with super, some are sceptical about touching it again.

Simon Benson

Treasury

Australia's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull holds a press conference in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, April 12, 2017. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas) NO ARCHIVING

PM to face clash on housing

Cabinet ministers will today mount a joint push for the PM to back a ‘super for first-home buyers’ housing package.

Simon Benson and DAVID UREN

COMMENTOpinion

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten (centre) visits the Local Disaster Management Committee in Rockhampton, Friday, April 7, 2017. Floodwaters resulting from ex-cyclone Debbie have inundated parts of Rockhampton with the Fitzroy River peaking at 8.8 metres yesterday. (AAP Image/Dan Peled) NO ARCHIVING

Retreat into leftist fanaticism

Bill Shorten’s repositioning on the Adani coalmine appears to be a retreat into the inner-city of leftist fanaticism.

Simon Benson

COMMENTOpinion

Insanity may lead to legacy

The decision to weigh into the national housing crisis would appear on the surface to be an act of political insanity.

Simon Benson

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/author/simon-benson/page/194