Simon Birmingham
Dutton to revamp his election-year frontbench as MPs head for exits
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton will unveil a revamped frontbench as soon as this weekend, in a shake-up to replace two shadow ministers and promote younger MPs.
- by Nick Bonyhady and James Massola
Latest
Opinion
Political leadership
Where have all the liberal Libs gone? This is Dutton’s cue to learn from Howard
The Liberal Party, said John Howard, was a “broad church”, at its best when it embraced both its conservative and liberal traditions.
- by George Brandis
Liberal moderates were in the ‘winner’s circle’ under Turnbull. It’s a different story now
In 2019, there were about 22 members in the group that champions socially progressive causes. Now there are just 12 committed to staying on past the next election.
- by James Massola
Simon Birmingham’s post-politics job revealed as Christmas reshuffle looms
The former Liberal frontbencher has wasted no time in picking up a lucrative gig in the private sector.
- by Sumeyya Ilanbey and James Massola
Power out for Birmingham as he turns out the lights
The resignation of the last leading Liberal moderate, Simon Birmingham, means that it is definitely a case of asking Simon to turn off the lights in the house when he leaves.
Birmingham bows out of politics warning against Trumpian culture wars
“Those ... who seek to divide our country only make us weaker”, Birmingham said before hugging Opposition Leader Peter Dutton on his way from the Senate.
- by Paul Sakkal and James Massola
Coalition fury over Thorpe’s claim she swore allegiance to Queen’s ‘hairs’
Independent senator Lidia Thorpe revealed she deliberately misspoke when being sworn in as an MP. The Coalition wants to know if that makes her ineligible.
- by Olivia Ireland
Opinion
Foreign relations
‘Airbus Albo’ has forgotten he has his own plane
The immediate decision before Albanese was how to deal with two important heads of state asking for attention at almost the same time. Why couldn’t he satisfy both?
- by Peter Hartcher
Updated
Russia-Ukraine war
‘Let Ukraine strike back’: Birmingham urges West to help after Russian strike claims at least 50 lives
Now a Russian air attack on Lviv on Wednesday has killed three people, injured more than 30 and destroyed historic buildings in the heart of the city.
- by Rob Harris
‘We’ll reopen embassy’: Birmingham makes pledge on visit to Kyiv
Australia remains an international outlier as it refuses to reopen its embassy in Kyiv more than two-and-a-half years after Russian troops invaded.
- by Rob Harris
Analysis
Political leadership
Dutton has told his troops to prepare for an early election. Are they up to it?
The veteran politician, a former police officer, lived through the scarring Nelson-Turnbull-Abbott years. He has placed a premium on unity, and it has paid off – at least so far.
- by James Massola
Original URL: https://www.watoday.com.au/topic/simon-john-birmingham-jn2