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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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AnalysisCommentary

Johannes Leak Commentary page cartoon for 28-03-2025Version: Commentary Cartoon (4:3, 1024x768 - Aspect ratio preserved, Canvas added)COPYRIGHT: The Australian's artists each have different copyright agreements in place regarding re-use of their work in other publications.Please seek advice from the artists themselves or the Managing Editor of The Australian regarding re-use.

This is now a win at any cost, bare-knuckled brawl

Peter Dutton is attempting to force Anthony Albanese to fight on his terms and on his turf – the outer metropolitan suburbs.

Simon Benson

AnalysisCommentary

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos - March 26, 2025: Opposition Peter Dutton in the House of Representatives at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Hip-pocket politics: return of that 1970s show

How long do we roam aimlessly around the wilderness before the country gets back to valuing personal responsibility and aspiration above government hand-outs? We are about to find out.

Simon Benson

COMMENTARYNation

Chalmers maintains that the economy is genuinely turning the corner. And in the face of global pressure, this makes Australia exceptional.

Election gamble reveals the death of ambition

Labor is now borrowing further from the future to buy an election, ignoring calls for spending control and delaying repair to the budget even further to achieve it.

Simon Benson

AnalysisPolitics

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA, NewsWire Photos. MARCH 23, 2024: Treasurer of Australia, Jim Chalmers during a Sunday morning TV interview at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Cowards and hypocrites on both sides of the ledger

Jim Chalmer’s message of optimism is likely to be tempered in Tuesday’s budget but its central theme will remain.

Simon Benson

EXCLUSIVEPolitics

Anthony Albanese and Petter Dutton on Sunday. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw

Newspoll: Women losing faith in both Albanese and Dutton

Primary vote support for Labor among women dropped below 30 per cent, with both Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton facing a crisis of confidence among female voters as they shift support to the Greens.

Simon Benson

NEWSPOLL analysisCommentary

Women are deeply unimpressed with both Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton as leaders.

Both the major parties have a ‘women problem’

Not only are female voters unhappy with the federal government, they are deeply unimpressed with both Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton as leaders.

Simon Benson

EXCLUSIVEPolitics

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos MARCH 18, 2025: The Australian Federal Treasurer Dr Jim Chalmers MP during his pre-budget address in Brisbane. Picture: NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

Chalmers’ bull run of optimism for budget includes call to private sector

Jim Chalmers’ budget next week will include bullish forecasts around dwelling and business investment, as the government expands its housing plan to $33bn in a bid to woo first-home buyers.

Geoff Chambers and Simon Benson

AnalysisCommentary

Labor cultivating dependency future

Surely this budget would have, in ordinary times, been a catalyst for restraint. This is unlikely considering its role as the launch pad for the election campaign.

Simon Benson

ExclusivePolitics

BCA Dinner arrivals (L-R) Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, President BCA Geoff Culbert and CEO BCA Bran Black. Jane Dempster/The Australian.

Green tape, taxes and the unions ‘killing economy’

Business groups get back to basics, warning that the economy will suffer unless union power is curbed, payroll tax abolished and major projects approved without delay.

Simon Benson

EXCLUSIVEPolitics

Tens of thousands of workers march after walking off work sites in protest against the forced administration of the construction arm of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU), in Melbourne on August 27, 2024. (Photo by William WEST / AFP)

House of cards: Labor wrecking ball is demolishing building sector

Builders are collapsing at record levels amid a spike in strikes following Labor’s abolition of the building watchdog, with 47,100 days lost to industrial disputes on construction sites last year.

Geoff Chambers and Simon Benson

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