Turnbull's phoney war with a rabble and a zombie
Paul Sheehan 9:00 PM Rather than convert his sweet spot into political gold with an early election, Malcolm Turnbull is likely to try to charm the Senate rabble and milk the zombie status of Bill Shorten.
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An easy fix for a stupid Sydney problem
![Tim Dick](/web/20151220114325im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/1/2/z/e/c/h/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.glrt4s.11mdqt.png/1450607580463.jpg)
Tim Dick 9:10 PM The plan to reform an array of tiny fiefdoms into more sensible councils is the best thing to happen to local government since wheelie bins.
An Indigenous achievement to shout about
![Jakelin Troy](/web/20151220114325im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/s/4/e/p/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.glrwzt.11mdqt.png/1450607580463.jpg)
Jakelin Troy 9:11 PM It's a decisive moment in our nation's story – but don't be surprised if you didn't hear about it.
Stoner Sloth misses target in war on drugs
![Thumbail](/web/20151220114325im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/s/4/e/i/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.glrsqw.11mdqt.png/1450607580463.jpg)
Benjamin Veness 9:11 PM All and sundry decried the idiocy of the campaign, rather than its anti-marijuana message being embraced and shared.
Education delivers a lesson in market failure
![SMH Editorial](/web/20151220114325im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/z/r/3/h/3/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.glg0c8.11mdqt.png/1450607580463.jpg)
9:00 PM For reasons that have little to do with the noble goals of education, and a lot to do with filthy lucre and the chance to get rich quick, vocational education has become the fastest growing industry in the land.
DECEMBER 21
Letters to the Editor
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9:00 PM The Baird government's forced amalgamation of councils is a win only for the state government and for businesses who prefer to deal with a lesser number of entities.
Column 8
![Column 8](/web/20151220114325im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/z/r/3/c/9/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.glrhb6.11mdqt.png/1450607580463.jpg)
9:00 PM "I'm not sure if George Richards would impress his neighbours by displaying his empty bottles," writes Craig Leonard, of Unanderra (Column 8, Friday). "Doesn't everyone on the upper North Shore drink Veuve Clicquot?"
Hark the diversity
![Josephine Tovey](/web/20151220114325im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/2/t/m/p/1/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.glngre.11mdqt.png/1450607580463.jpg)
Josephine Tovey Anyone who's tasted Starbucks' coffee might have thought it was an abomination, but this festive season, the coffee chain found itself at the centre of an actual religious dispute.
Bully shaming is coming to a site near you
![<p>](/web/20151220114325im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/1/2/l/y/d/e/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.glpwl3.11mdqt.png/1450607580463.jpg)
Wendy Squires The actions of Overweight Haters Ltd in London have inspired other self-adoring narcissists around the world, but some of their "victims" are now pushing back.
Rates review offers relief to pensioners
![Kirsty Needham](/web/20151220114325im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/2/u/6/c/x/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.glr5vq.11mdqt.png/1450607580463.jpg)
Kirsty Needham The quarter-acre block has gone grey. So George Gergely, 91, doesn't see why pensioners should pay twice the council rates that flashy young apartment owners do.
In praise of useless presents
![Gareth Hutchens dinkus Dinkus](/web/20151220114325im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/2/y/e/h/v/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.glrd6i.11mdqt.png/1450607580463.jpg)
Gareth Hutchens An abundance of Christmas gifts shows international relations are positive and resources are being diverted to peaceful pastimes.
Lazarus sisters rise again
![Charles Waterstreet.](/web/20151220114325im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/2/t/r/j/m/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.glrfso.11mdqt.png/1450607580463.jpg)
Charles Waterstreet The Independent Commission Against Corruption has lost much of its swagger.
Entrenched anti-vaccination views difficult
![<p></p>](/web/20151220114325im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/1/g/9/o/a/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.glr62n.11mdqt.png/1450607580463.jpg)
12:05 AM The risk the unvaccinated pose to the community is real but so is the risk of unintended consequences.
DECEMBER 20
Letters to the Editor
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The continuing racist/non-racist action that continues to simmer under police escort is damaging not only to 'the Shire' by association, but to all Australians.