It's hard to believe I share support for the same political party with Amanda Vanstone ("The good republican's guide to arguing with a narcissist", January 2). Apparently I do, although she is a republican and I am a monarchist. I don't mind these differences in our "broad church".
But I do object to her casting aspersions at "the right-wing minority in the Liberal Party" whom she accuses of "need(ing) to operate in the real world".
Actually, it's the party's left wing who need a hard clap to the side of the head to help them to understand realpolitik. They simply don't realise that conservative voters are drifting away in droves from the Coalition.
Left-wing elites, or air-headed boobs by another name, have to comprehend that conservative views must be accommodated by the party if they are to be retained within the church.
Mr Turnbull, at least, appears to recognise this. Contrary to the received wisdom of progressives, he is not constantly pandering, weak-kneed, to his right-wing MPs. He is trying to claw back right-wing votes.
Alan Wakeley Dural
Amanda Vanstone argues that the right-wing minority in the Liberal Party must understand the rest won't be cowed into pretending to agree with them. I suggest the narcissists are not isolated to the hard right of her party, nor is it vaguely realistic to think they will change.We can't accuse Malcolm Turnbull of just pretending to agree, since he willingly caves in to their demands.
Instead of expecting the renegade Liberals to surrender when they are winning, I recommend Ms Vanstone try reminding Turnbull that he is the Prime Minister.
It seems she expects everyone to credit him for sticking to his long-held beliefs on a republic, while selling out on his long-held beliefs on other issues such as climate change. For the record, I am in favour of a republic.
Graham Lum North Rocks
I usually find Amanda Vanstone's commentary to be confident, purposeful and sensible. Not invariably though. Her plea for the right-wing minority in the Liberal Party (a charmingly confusing statement) to operate in the real world by defeating the crazy left has left me with a feeling of more than a little disquiet. Maybe my notions of other peoples' foibles reveals much about me.
Pam Connor Mollymook Beach
If Amanda Vanstone is right (and there is no denying that she is indeed very grumpy at times) then the Letters page may well be the sincerest example of democracy we have, where letter writers (some indeed are narcissistic) meet head-to-head to share views and opinions and "irritate" or highlight each other and their readers with their views on life and issues of the day. Long may the page live on.
Janice Creenaune Austinmer
The trouble with narcissists is that they won't agree with that label. In their eyes, their attitudes are perfectly normal, and almost everyone else is out of kilter. And much as I've always admired Amanda Vanstone's forthright manner, calling them a "nutter" may not help.
Joan Brown Orange
I found Amanda Vanstone's article interesting, but her last paragraph has a different tone indeed. It implies that the main aim of the Liberal Party is to defeat " the crazy left". Having as your main aim scoring points off other parties does not make for effective government.
Secondly, just who are the "crazy left"? Are they the people who take climate change seriously and want the government to do more about it? Are they the ones who want just and humane treatment of refugees? Are they the ones who think "balancing the budget on the backs of the poor" is unfair?
Until Amanda talks and listens to "the crazy left", whoever they are, she won't know how crazy they are or if their craziness contains elements of reason. Perhaps they are not crazy at all!
Maureen Keady Maroubra
Malcolm Turnbull take note. Amanda Vanstone has hit the nail on the head when she labels "the right-wing minority of the Liberal Party" as "an unhappy band of navel-gazing narcissists". Malcolm can either remain shackled to this unhappy band, or can strike out and begin to address real issues of national importance, the most significant of which, as attested to by the farming, business and scientific communities, is the need for a rational and meaningful approach to combat climate change. Failure to act may mean that Malcolm continues to fashion his own label as the "do nothing" Prime Minister.
Michael Healy East Maitland
Fireworks homage should have included gentleman Jon English
I totally support the disappointment that Ross Barlow expressed concerning the lack of recognition of Jon English during the New Year's Eve homage to what were essentially stars from other countries (Letters, January 2).
I didn't know Jon the Superstar as my acquaintance with him was as a teacher at Cabramatta High School in the late '60s. He was a member of my first-grade basketball team where he excelled as a basketball player of extraordinary ability. Indeed he was a great all-round athlete and those who saw his breathtaking exploits high above the stage in the local production of Jesus Christ Superstar were left in no doubt about his gymnastic skills and his sheer courage in attempting such daring acts.
But sporting and performing achievements were just a part of the total person. He was above all a delightful human being: respectful, funny, obliging, immensely popular and incredibly modest. You forget many of your ex-pupils but Jon was not one to be easily forgotten. I would have loved to have seen his image portrayed as a firework hanging precariously under the bridge while performing impossible balancing acts. Of course smudgy black smoke would have recalled those amazing black eyes which marked him even as a teenager.
Trevor Somerville Illawong
Cabinet papers should put Turnbull on alert
The annual release of cabinet papers by the National Archives is an interesting way to find out what the government did not tell us at the time, but this year's documents from 1992 to 1993 also have a message for Malcolm Turnbull ("Two years of change: Australia's new place in the world", January 2).
Paul Keating became Prime Minister in December 1991 and notched up an impressive list of achievements in his first two years in the job. Some decisions were catch-up measures, such as improving the handling of complaints by women of discrimination in employment, and allowing a pledge of commitment to Australia and its people instead of an oath of allegiance to the sovereign.
The 1993 decision to introduce a Native Title Bill has a message for Malcolm Turnbull. The legislation was a response to the Mabo decision by the High Court, and was opposed by the Coalition, with John Hewson famously declaring Mabo "a day of shame". We now know that some departments raised doubts about the legislation, cabinet was divided on the issue and there were community protests that warned of suburban backyards being subject to land claims.
Keating had the courage of his convictions and left a significant raft of achievements. His record provides a challenge for the Prime Minister as he remains fettered by divisions in the Coalition.
James Moore Kingsgrove
Minister driving with eyes, ears closed
So the federal Transport Minister tells us parents should spend more money when they buy the kiddies' first cars (" 'Spend more' on kids' first car to help cut road toll", January 2). This prompts not only the age-old question what planet do these guys live on, but also what roads do they drive on? I know politicians have chauffeurs, but does the minister never gaze out the window and witness the behaviour of other road users?
Ed Matzenik Maitland
So rich people's cars are safer than poor people's? Thanks Minister Chester – who knew? I will definitely be putting in that extra bit of overtime needed to purchase a dinky little A Class Merc for my teenage son when the time comes.
Gillian Whalley Earlwood
What do we olds want? You young ones
Thank you, Jessica Irvine, for your article ("An about-turn on the road to happiness", January 2). More so for your last paragraph where you suggest you might call your grandparents or parents more often. The greatest joy for grandparents is not necessarily the phone call but visiting or being visited by children and grandchildren where youth and enthusiasm give you a lift. It's a bit hectic at Christmas time, especially when you have 11 grandchildren, but the incidental visits over the year just give you that extra lift with young grandchildren not afraid to express an opinion or share a joke with us "oldies". They keep us young!
Ken Pares Forster
Jessica Irvine talks about what will make older people happy. The answer is the same for the young as it is for the old or any of us – Love is all we need.
Neville Williams Darlinghurst
More pain, what's new
Scott Morrison, the Federal Treasurer, should be shouting from the rafters about the changes to the NSW Workers Compensation scheme (" 'I'll get kicked off with nothing': Thousands to lose compensation benefits", January 2).
Where does he think the federal government is going to get the money from to support the thousands of injured NSW workers on Centrelink benefits?
Not one word, complete silence. Wonder if it is because both governments are sitting on the same bench? Slapping each others backs in congratulations for the savings that are bring budgets back to surplus.
Lee-Ann Groblicka Turramurra
Use super for housing
Deborah Snow ("Sydney's housing affordability 'nightmare' spreading: Labor", January 2) has raised the Labor attack on the Baird and Turnbull's governments over housing affordability. In November the NSW Planning Minister Rob Stokes put forward half the solution by blaming negative gearing tax breaks. The other half is raising the $214,000 median deposit which will only be possible for a large number of potential buyers by accessing their superannuation savings.
What long term-benefit is it living in rented accommodation with millions of dollars of superannuation being used by funds leaving contributors homeless in rented accommodation? Do any politicians have the mettle to tackle this issue?
Bill McMahon Lennox Head
Dunce cap for Gay
Duncan Gay says he doesn't know how much the Sydney Gateway will cost but it will be included in the $16.8 billion outlay ('WestConnex link may finish early', January 2). Has he read the WestConnex business case? It says the Sydney Gateway will cost $800 million and that that there is a 50 per cent chance of WestConnex costing more than $16.8 billion. If Gay's changes increase the cost of the Sydney Gateway, then the chance of WestConnex costing only $16.8 billion must be approaching zero.
Ben Aveling Alexandria
Captain's gall
It is disgraceful to read that Alan Joyce exited Dubai to get back to Sydney for New Year while his customers were left stranded ("Qantas flyers miss Sydney new year", January 2). As captain of the ship he should have been the last to leave.
Charles Hargrave Elizabeth Bay
Splitting chips
Enough of the fancy potatoes. Lets hear more of Spud the original "commen-tator " (Letters, January 2).
Bob Arnold Berry
I must drive a couple of wedges into the Potato Discussion. I might be roasted for this but I consider it to be a complete mash-up! I propose we finish with this chat.
Richard Clay Kotara
The Dalrymples have it
The right place for pride such as Rosemary O'Brien's, (Letters, January 2) is on the sleeve, not wrapped. Rosemary Dalrymple, Georges Hall, has a new ring and would kick off a new volume of an already distinguished career at letters@smh.com.au.
Colin Booth Narrabeen
On the Cards for 2017
We look back whistfully at a time with No Trumps.
Ian Andrews Bronte
Mr Trump is in a better position now to demand Twitter increase the 140-character limit. I am sure the world is eager to read more of his ambiguous writings.
Mokhles Sidden South Strathfield
No more moving forward
Have you noticed that no one is saying that they are "moving forward" any more. Hooray.
Tony Biddle Greenwich