Simon Cullen
Simon Cullen is one of the ABC's national political reporters in Canberra. He joined the team in 2009 - in time to witness leadership changes in both major parties and a federal election that delivered the first hung Parliament since the 1940s.
Latest by Simon Cullen
Why are tertiary entry requirements different for international and domestic students?
University offers for domestic students are based on an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR), but there are different criteria for students from overseas.
Sightings of coin-sized jellyfish that fire venom like a harpoon prompts warning from vets after wild weather
Pet owners are being urged to keep a close eye on what their dogs eat and drink after wild weather washed ashore toxic jellyfish and contaminated stormwater.
Murder trial 'not an Agatha Christie novel', lawyer says
The lawyer for a man accused of murdering an 85-year-old says his client doesn't know who killed the woman and doesn't have to prove anything.
Labour-hire company ripped off Vanuatu workers: court
Queensland labour-hire company Maroochy Sunshine is found guilty in the Federal Circuit Court of not paying seasonal workers from Vanuatu a proper wage.
Aerial footage shows flooding suffered by drought-stricken town
Aerial footage over the western Queensland town of Winton captures the extent of flooding brought on by the town's wettest day in more than 15 years.
Linc Energy accused of gas breach at Chinchilla site
The energy company is committed to stand trial on five charges it breached Queensland's environmental laws at its underground coal gasification site.
Six teens found safe and well after entering stormwater drain
Police say entering storm drains is extremely risky behaviour as six teenagers reported missing in Brisbane were found safe.
Chrisco hamper company fined $200k for direct debit law breach
Christmas hamper company Chrisco is fined $200,000 in the Federal Court in Brisbane for breaching consumer laws.
CFMEU lawyers did not properly raise privilege issues during Brisbane raid, court hears
The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union did not properly raise issues of legal professional privilege during a raid on its offices in Brisbane, lawyers for the Australian Federal Police say.
Medicinal marijuana could be available for Queensland patients by year's end
Queensland patients could be given access to medicinal marijuana before the end of the year, under a plan to be put before State Parliament.
LNP endorses three incumbent Queensland senators for federal election
The Liberal National Party reindorses its three incumbent Senators — George Brandis, Barry O'Sullivan, and Jo Lindgren — ahead of this year's election.
Australians banned from travelling to Nauru
Nauru abruptly cancels all visitor visas for Australian and New Zealand passport holders, according to the country's airline.
Budget overruns sank teen mental health centre, inquiry told
Plans to build a new residential mental health centre for adolescents in Queensland were scrapped because of budget overruns, an inquiry has been told.
Teenage deaths in spotlight as Barrett centre inquiry resumes
Clinical staff at Brisbane's Barrett Centre had serious concerns about a decision to close the youth mental health facility in early 2014, an inquiry hears.
Government launches social media campaign on higher education reforms
The Federal Government uses Facebook to promote its plan to deregulate university fees but concedes it is not possible to know how much courses will cost.
John Fraser named as new secretary of Treasury
Prime Minister Tony Abbott announces John Fraser will take over as secretary of the Treasury following the departure of Martin Parkinson.
Top bureaucrat's future under cloud after scathing Senate report
The future of the Secretary of the Department of Parliamentary Services, Carol Mills, is under a cloud following the release of a report about the use of security cameras inside Parliament House.
DFAT, can you feed my dogs? Travellers warned of consular help crackdown
Australian travellers who get into trouble overseas are warned of new limits on what consular support they might receive, as there are some "misunderstandings" of what Foreign Affairs Department staff can do.
Katter hits back at campaign to boycott gender-based toys
Federal MP Bob Katter has hit back at the campaign to boycott gender-based toys, saying he intends to buy toy guns for boys and dolls for girls.
Isolating Ebola-ridden countries an 'act of discrimination', UN says
The United Nations Security Council makes veiled criticism of countries like Australia for imposing "acts of discrimination" against people from Ebola-affected West Africa.
PUP expels Lambie's chief of staff from party
Senator Jacqui Lambie's chief of staff is expelled from the Palmer United Party, as Clive Palmer warns the Tasmanian senator to challenge him if she is unhappy with the leadership.
Former MPs fight to keep lifetime travel perks
Former federal MPs warn of a High Court challenge if the Government pushes ahead with plans to abolish their lifetime "gold pass" travel perks.
No mandate for fuel tax rise: Shorten
The Government should have taken its fuel tax increase, which comes into effect today, to an election, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten says.
Australia close to finalising $1b beef export deal with China
One million Australian cattle worth up to $1 billion are set to be exported to China each year, under a new trade deal being finalised between the two countries.
Controversial Foreign Fighters Bill passes Senate
The latest tranche of the Government's national security laws pass the Upper House, amid suggestions new laws could let the ADF kill Australians fighting for terror groups.