Simon Benson
Simon Benson is Chief Political Reporter for The Daily Telegraph. He was the former State Political Editor and the past President of the NSW Press Gallery, and a good mate of Penbo’s.
Articles by Simon Benson
The West wasn’t won but at least there was no disaster
Julia Gillard will return to Canberra at the weekend convinced her week in Sydney’s west was a roaring success. And…... Read more
Labor looking at setting all the wrong records in 2013
The Gillard Government is facing an election wipeout in western Sydney that will rival the routing that was delivered to…... Read more
The dust on Gillard’s decision is far from settled
If there were a form of theatrical torture more cruel than subjecting voters to an eight-month election campaign, Labor strategists…... Read more
Gillard may be forced to pull the “Teaparty Tony” lever
Julia Gillard is now faced with a troubling sets of numbers. This week Labor’s primary vote slumped four per cent…... Read more
Gillard survived but she didn’t fix anything
Julia Gillard has survived another year as Prime Minister. No-one should be surprised. The member for Lalor has proven to…... Read more
Gillard’s leadership battered and bruised after this bout
Tony Abbott yesterday failed to make a case that Julia Gillard had acted in a manner unbecoming of a prime…... Read more
As the rockets rain in Sderot, even the dogs need Valium
You know things are getting pretty grim when you have to put your dog on Valium to cope with stress.…... Read more
Abbott’s worst fear has been lived by a budgie brother
There are only two things that terrify Tony Abbott. One is the prospect of losing the next Federal election. The…... Read more
Now the word “marginal” has been redefined by the ALP
Julia Gillard could not be looking forward to Parliament resuming next week. Well may she relish another round of hand…... Read more
Danger ahead for HSU if Abbott has his way
Tony Abbott has threatened to do many things when and if he gets into Government. Actually most of them involve…... Read more
Labor’s still got some serious bugs to work out
Whatever the illness was that hit her with a sudden and vengeful effect after she stepped off her plane in…... Read more
Gender slurs flying from women on both sides
A new and creative insult was introduced to Parliament this week which would have been met with howls of protest…... Read more
Labor’s NSW disease will be fatal if it doesn’t act now
This week the Gillard Government was given a glimpse into its political future in Sydney and it’s as grim as…... Read more
Gillard’s recycling but the environment’s not friendly
If Julia Gillard’s “national crusade” on education has a familiar ring to it, that is because as a political concept…... Read more
Abbott might be knocked out by carbon tax fatigue
OK, so not many people are in love with the carbon tax. But then who likes taxes? Find me a…... Read more
Why Australians still see Swan as a lame duck
It must be to the eternal frustration of Treasurer Wayne Swan that, while the rest of the world thinks he…... Read more
Gillard cannot expect asylum from wrath of political gods
Julia Gillard must wonder what she has done to offend the political Gods. How else could she explain that with…... Read more
Butchers papering over the cracks in Caucus
Julia Gillard will need to do more to win over the MPs who have deserted her than the offer of…... Read more
PM beware former foes dining in fancy restaurants
BY all accounts it was an extraordinary sight. Kevin Rudd was in flying form. As were his guests. Last Saturday…... Read more
Backroom politics crash the party
WHEN Abraham Lincoln famously said that a house divided against itself cannot stand, he didn’t have the Liberal Party in…... Read more
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From: Hasbro, go straight to gaol, do not pass go
Tim says:
They should update other things in the game too. Instead of a get out of jail free card, they should have a Dodgy Lawyer card that not only gets you out of jail straight away but also gives you a fat payout in compensation for daring to arrest you in the first place. Instead of getting a hotel when you… [read more]From: A guide to summer festivals especially if you wouldn’t go
Kel says:
If you want a festival for older people or for families alike, get amongst the respectable punters at Bluesfest. A truly amazing festival experience to be had of ALL AGES. And all the young "festivalgoers" usually write themselves off on the first night, only to never hear from them again the rest of… [read more]Gentle jabs to the ribs
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