Simon Benson
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National Political Editor The Daily Telegraph
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Articles by Simon Benson
AI report warns 30 per cent of Australian workers could be affected within five years
More than 30 per cent of the workforce could be disrupted by the rapid uptake of artificial intelligence over the next five years without policy intervention, says a new report that warns that the sclerotic Australian economy was poorly equipped to deal with the next industrial shock. It also warns that Australia risked being left behind all other OECD countries because of the structural nature of an economy geared heavily towards raw material exports and lacking high value industries.
Transforming the enterprise of the future
New technologies and troves of data are helping enterprises create more value in nearly everything they do. In this report, KPMG professionals share findings from a survey of more than 2,000 executives around the world, as well as insights from our work with clients across industries to illuminate how enterprises can capitalise on this historic inflection point, creating more value and achieving enduring competitive advantages.
Joshua Black
Twenty years ago, Robert Tickner tried his hand at the nuanced art of political memoir. Taking a Stand (2001) was, he said, ‘an insider’s account of momentous initiatives’ in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs portfolio in the 1990s. A portrait of the politician as a young man, son, father, and husband was not in the offing. Cabinet diarist Neal Blewett, a man not renowned for ... (read more)
Western Australian company to build low-level radioactive waste facility – Kimba dump a decade away – now irrelevant?
Western Australian company to build low-level radioactive waste facility – Kimba dump a decade away – now irrelevant?
Keating's skewering of mainstream media spot on Original
During his recent National Press Club appearance, former PM Paul Keating scolded mainstream media journalists — who deserved every stinging syllable of his pinpoint-accurate words, writes Belinda Jones. WELL, DIDN'T Paul Keating stir up a hornet’s nest this week? The 79-year-old former Prime Minister, at his National Press Club of Australia (NPC) appearance on Wednesday, discussed at length the $368 billion AUKUS submarines deal and why he doesn’t support it.
'Friendly' media and Coalition colluded to silence Robodebt victims
The evidence is damning: many outlets in the mainstream media worked in support of the former Coalition government's establishment of its illegal Robodebt scheme, writes Dr Victoria Fielding. THERE HAVE BEEN hugely concerning findings revealed in the 'Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme'.
'Friendly' media and Coalition colluded to silence Robodebt victims
The evidence is damning: many outlets in the mainstream media worked in support of the former Coalition government's establishment of its illegal Robodebt scheme, writes Dr Victoria Fielding. THERE HAVE BEEN hugely concerning findings revealed in the 'Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme'.
How we prevented a Morrison dictatorship Original
Had Scott Morrison been re-elected this year, not much would have stopped him from amassing total power, writes Paul Begley. FORMER PRIME MINISTER Scott Morrison was able to appoint himself to multiple ministries because at least three democratic institutions failed: the Australian Public Service, the Prime Minister’s Office and the mainstream media. The Hon Virginia Bell AC made some incisive observations about the performance of the APS and the PMO in her astute report to the Parliament.
Mass media fails to recognise the power of Gillard’s Misogyny Speech
Following Julia Gillard's historic Misogyny Speech, coverage in the press demonstrated a detachment from the true meaning behind her words, writes Dr Victoria Fielding. AS I LISTENED to former Prime Minister Julia Gillard speaking about her experience of giving one of the most famous Australian political speeches of all time – the Misogyny Speech – I thought about how this speech has not only become a historic legacy for Gillard and for Tony Abbott, but also for the Australian media.
Lack of scrutiny helped Morrison scandal go unnoticed
Revelations about Scott Morrison’s power-grab of five secret ministries raise serious questions about the health of Australian media and in turn, the media’s commitment to contribute to a strong democracy. The core function of political media is to hold power to account.
Morrison's devotion to Trump may be his undoing
Former PM Scott Morrison's incompetence mirrored that of his political idol, Donald Trump, writes Paul Begley. AUSTRALIAN BACKBENCH politician and former Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, fronted a press conference on Wednesday to insist that there were no substantive issues with his assumption of multiple ministerial portfolios during 2020 and 2021 because, with one exception, he didn’t actually exercise the powers vested in him by the appointments.
Scott Morrison — the man behind the swindle
The news of former PM Scott Morrison's deception has shown us how fragile our democracy can be. Dr Jennifer Wilson examines possible reasons behind such a pursuit of ultimate power. OVER THE LAST few days, it has emerged that former Prime Minister Scott Morrison, acting on advice from former Attorney-General Christian Porter, was appointed by Governor-General David Hurley as minister of Health, Finance, Social Services, Resources and Home Affairs during 2020-2021.
Secretive Scott Morrison and the skeletons in his Cabinet
Recent revelations that former Prime Minister Scott Morrison secretly swore himself in as a co-minister in three portfolios may explain why he stood so firmly in the way of a Federal ICAC. Because people with nothing to hide have no need to skulk around in the dark, usually. And Morrison loves the dark. Has there ever been a prime minister, or even a senior cabinet minister, since Federation who was so opposed to transparency – to open and honest dealings with the public − as this bluff figure?
How to Properly Store Your Digital Currency – 2022 Guide - Green Poison
In this day and age, people have accepted that having some sort of passive income is an absolute must. Coming across some money you can save alongside your salary was always a good thing. Just think about it, there are so many opportunities you can choose from, it wouldn’t be good if you pass on this possibility. That doesn’t necessarily mean you need to work an additional job to be able to achieve this.
Are you supposed to bring a gift to a housewarming party?
Source: mindfullivingnetwork.com Housewarming parties are a great way for the hosts to show off their new apartment and they usually get this chance to hang out with their friends and family over dinner. Housewarming parties are often casual and not too formal, so there’s nothing to worry about if you are invited. However, there is some housewarming party etiquette that you need to be familiar with.
7 Signs it is Time to Install a Residential Grease Trap
Does every home need a grease trap? This is a question that millions of homeowners have, and they wonder if this inceptor is a necessary item or if they can go on with their days without this investment. Well, the answer is a bit more complex, and it all depends on your specific case. Even though most residential homes will not need this unit, some may be not only in need but could risk a lot of damage and increased costs if they don’t do this.
8 Tips for Cleaning Your Residential Grease Trap
First of all, kudos to you for being a wise and responsible homeowner and owning a grease trap. It’s little things like these that make all the difference in your home. The sad thing is, the reward for your thoughtfulness and responsibility is semi-hard but really dirty and smelly work that you can’t really avoid. Well, you could, but that would involve paying someone else to do it, which is an option, but hey – why waste money if you can do it all by yourself?
#4 TOP IA STORY OF 2020: What's happening with ABC 'Insiders'?
The capture of ABC Insiders by Murdoch's minions was a topic of debate all year, with this April Alan Austin piece attracting in excess of 35,000 unique views. ***** Has the ABC’s Insiders program become a vehicle for the promotion of News Corp? Alan Austin has been watching with interest and alarm.
Pandemic could lead to doubling of suicide rates
Suicide rates in Australia are forecast to rise by up to 50 per cent due to the economic and social impacts of the coronavirus and tipped to outstrip deaths from the pandemic by up to 10 times. Source: The Australian. By Simon Benson, The Australian World-leading research by the country’s top mental health experts predicts the impact of the virus could result in an extra 1500 deaths a year over the next five years and a generational mental health crisis linked directly to the pandemic.
What's happening with 'Insiders'?
Has the ABC’s Insiders program become a vehicle for the promotion of News Corp? Alan Austin has been watching with interest and alarm. AN INTRIGUING development in Australia’s media landscape this year is that it appears ABC's Insiders, a substantial television program paid for by taxpayers, has become a vehicle for the rehabilitation and promotion of Rupert Murdoch’s tawdry media empire. Take the April 19 episode.
8 Morning Habits To Improve Productivity
Your morning habits dictate how your day is going to be. Highly successful people know the secrets to morning rituals and habits. There are morning habits and rituals that can directly improve your productivity greatly. Studies have proven that your willpower is the most prevalent it will be all day in the morning before you become exhausted. When you adopt morning habits that you stick to, you’ll begin to see dramatic results.
6 Unique Home Offices that Will Inspire You to Start Your Own Business
1. Library in the Ceiling by Travis Price architects for Wade Davis, National Geographic’s “Explorer in Residence” is so awesome, it blows my mind. This office is not only a space savor, its uniquely designed to be a functional working space. Working remotely from home but can also be just long hours of sitting and working on the computer. With the library in the ceiling, it would give a good reason to get out your seat and move a little. 2.
Mungo MacCallum: Coalition's corporate tax cuts collide with One Nation fall-out
Like the leaves of a diseased and dying tree, the One Nation Senators continue to fall. After the 2016 double dissolution election – the one Malcolm Turnbull called to clean fringe dwellers like One Nation out of the Senate – Senator Pauline Hanson emerged with four followers. Two of them – Malcolm Roberts in Queensland and Rod Culleton in Western Australia – were promptly rubbed out by the High Court and Federal Court, respectively.
A practical guide on selling your car
It’s March and with the arrival of new car registrations, many people will be looking to sell their current motor to get a brand new car in its place. Here are some top tips on how to get your car sale ready. You wouldn’t sell your home without investing a little time and money in order to achieve the best price, and selling a car is no different. Your car needs to be in the best possible condition for you to make the most money.
Simple tricks to cut the cost of owning and running your car
Buying a car is an exciting process it’s not just the initial cost you need to consider; owning and running a car can be expensive. Here are a few simple, low-effort tricks anyone can use to help save money. Many motorists know that driving smoothly can save on fuel costs, but there are other, lesser-known ways of running your car more efficiently that could boost your bank balance.
Guest opinion: Dealers should ignore Millennials at their peril
Millennials might not be heading to the forecourt in their droves like previous generations, but presenteeism isn’t an indicator of interest. The purchasing journey now starts on their smartphones and for a large number of that generation, it ends there too. Dealers are increasingly clued up to this shift to digital and are aware of how valuable this market is. Innovators are popping up all over the place to take advantage of these smartphone natives and how they like to shop around.
Guest opinion: Brexit, a true test of car dealers’ versatility
Our most recent research reveals that a significant number of car buyers – somewhere in the region of 400,000 – are considering putting off buying a new car until they know what Brexit really means. The Government is yet to start negotiations in a meaningful way so any sort of clarity could well be months or even years away. Combine this with the threat of rising inflation and slower wage growth, and the prospect of customers delaying the purchase of big ticket items could become a reality.
Why the Path to Organizational Growth Begins with Individual Growth
A successful entrepreneurial enterprise is more than an innovative or disruptive idea. Success in the enterprise context is about building basic infrastructure to act as a mechanism to convert ideas into value. Peter Drucker emphasized that successful entrepreneurship, a core feature of enterprise success, is the byproduct of discipline and not of magic, mystery or wild creative ideation.
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