Readers react to Premier Mike Baird's surprise retirement
Letter writers respond to Premier Mike Baird's surprise retirement this morning. Many were critical but some made tributes to the man who left, citing family reasons.
Letters to the Editor
Safeguards can minimise euthanasia risks
Julie Morgan's reasons for opposing voluntary euthanasia do not withstand scrutiny.
Abuse of euthanasia laws poses a terrible risk
When you've all finished arguing about euthanasia ... could you all volunteer some time to help out those who, despite similarly "undignified" lives "not worth living", most certainly do not want to die?
Humans, like animals, should not suffer
With the strong possibility now of a debate on voluntary euthanasia in the NSW Parliament, I suggest an advocacy group called "Equal Rights for Humans" be formed to air their views to members of Parliament ("NSW to debate law on voluntary euthanasia", January 16).
PM gets it right, Ley just doesn't get it
Congratulations, Prime Minister. You have taken a stand and shown leadership to over the rorts of all parliamentarians.
Rare show of empathy
It seems that human kindness, empathy, respect, tolerance and compassion are only deemed important to a minority of the population.
Ill at ease on the eve Trump's presidency
Approaching Donald Trump's inauguration, one thing is clear ("Stuck in the mud with spies, lies and cries foul", January 12). At no time in modern history has a new American president started his term in office under such a dark cloud.
What will Bronwyn Bishop say?
letters to the editor
Postscript
A sandblast of scorn came through the Letters inbox this week as readers reacted to yet more evidence that politicians are out of step with community expectations on travel entitlements.
How to stop the Canberra gravy train
Can we fix it? Yes we can. Herald readers on how to clean up Canberra
Questions fade if politicians do their jobs
Why are we obsessed with politicians' entitlements? Is it because they are not managing the country?
Age of entitlement is over, Mr Turnbull
Our pollies should be subject to the same "work related expenses" criteria as workers claiming expense reimbursements.
Sussan Ley's trips make me want to 'drain the swamp'
While I hate Donald Trump and everything he stands for, his promise to "drain the swamp" certainly resonates with me.
If Sussan Ley makes you want to scream, don't be silent
Has anyone else heard the ghost of Peter Finch screaming "I'm as mad as hell and I'm not going to take this any more"?
Error of judgment: Sussan Ley's trip might have voters thinking twice
It is quite likely that those members of Sussan Ley's electorate who chose her as their representative, are now also of the belief that they have made an "error of judgement"
Malcolm Turnbull must step up
Mr Turnbull should stop boasting about trivial successes, and start addressing the issues that vitally affect us all.
Totalitarian tactics over debt
No one objects to governments legitimately recovering debt but sooling Centrelink onto society's most vulnerable in the callous, automated manner smacks of the totalitarian state.
2017: let's dive into the big issues in 25 words or less
Welcome to the first Post Script for 2017. Time to sharpen up your pens and deliver your best short, pithy one-liners.
Centrelink echoes past threats
Peter Martin suggests that we follow the journalists' adage "it's a stuff-up, not a conspiracy" to explain the Centrelink debt debacle ("Centrelink's litany of inhuman errors", January 5). While this adage is usually reliable, I have to wonder whether it applies in this case.
Pool closure a nonsensical move
Every NSW student should be exposed to water safety lessons at the very least.
Must be time to do a Pat Cash
It can't be much longer before we see a celebrating century-maker do a Pat Cash and clamber into the stands to hug friends and family ("High Noon: 100 before Lunch", January 4).
Super funds for housing no answer
Nothing will change with Sydney's housing affordability until owner occupiers are put on an equal footing with investors.
Liberal church needs right wing
It's hard to believe I share support for the same political party with Amanda Vanstone.
Hope flying in the face of reality
It's heartening to note from your editorial ("The year when outsiders became insiders", December 31) that your glass is half full.
Trump inauguration a hot-air affair?
The danger at the impending Trump inauguration is not that no A-lister will agree to perform.
Australia already cosying up to Trump on Israel
So the toadying to Donald Trump begins before inauguration.
Postscript: Letter of the Year
Sometimes readers love a letter so much they write to tell us and to declare it their letter of the year.
Best Letters of the Year 2016
Nostalgia kicked in as I saw the Herald photo of the five-storey units built plumb against the little semi-detached cottage in William Street, Lewisham ("Tower springs up next to semi in Lewisham", October 25).
The Best of Bert Candy: 2016 Letter Writer of the Year
Bert Candy's first Sydney Morning Herald letter to the editor appeared on June 1, 2013. He has been published regularly since then. Readers nominated him as Letter Writer of the Year 2016. Here is a selection of some of his 2016 contributions.
Apartments crowd out Palestinian hopes
Peter Wertheim and Alex Ryvchin you have absolutely nothing to worry about – history has shown that successive Israeli governments, which say they want peace, will continue to build all over occupied land and give little heed to what the world may think.