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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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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

exclusiveBudget 2017

Federal Treasurer Scott Morrison delivers an address to the Australian Financial Review Banking and Wealth Summit, in Sydney, Thursday, April 6, 2017. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING

Cradle-to-grave home plan

The Turnbull government will pursue a ‘cradle-to-grave’ housing affordability package in the budget.

Simon Benson

analysisForeign Affairs

Medical staff at Damascus Countryside Specialised Hospital hold placards condemning a suspected chemical weapons attack on the Syrian town of Khan Sheikhun, during a gathering to show solidarity with the victims in the rebel-held Douma on the outskirts of Damascus on April 6, 2017. US forces fired a barrage of cruise missiles at a Syrian airbase on April 7 in response to what President Donald Trump called a

PM shows what he’s made of

The PM has signalled a shift in Australia’s position on Syria in the wake of Bashar al-Assad’s chemical attack.

Simon Benson

ExclusiveForeign Affairs

David Irvine speaking at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute Conference at QT Hotel in Canberra. Picture by Kym Smith

Ex-spymaster to head up FIRB

Former ASIO and ASIS chief David Irvine’s appointment signals a new national security focus on foreign investment.

Simon Benson

ExclusiveNational Affairs

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull speaks to the media at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Offices in Sydney, Friday, April 7, 2017. The Australian government strongly supports the swift response of the United States on Syria and the Assad regime. (AAP Image/Joel Carrett) NO ARCHIVING

Coalition ‘failed on security’

Malcolm Turnbull has been presented with four pages of proposals from an internal review into last year’s election.

Simon Benson and Joe Kelly

ExclusiveNational Affairs

FILE - In this Aug. 10, 2016 file photo, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull speaks in Sydney. Turnbull was fending off criticism over tax concessions for investors in booming urban property markets on Wednesday, April 5, 2017, after a central banker warned soaring house prices could threaten the economy. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft, File)

US briefed Turnbull in advance

Malcolm Turnbull received a call before 7am this morning from White House officials to brief him on the impending action.

Simon Benson

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/author/simon-benson/page/195