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Let’s raise a glass to the voters of Wentworth etc

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Illustration: David Pope (SMH)

Dear Wentworth: on behalf of a grateful nation, I thank you (‘‘Independent’s Day’’, Sun-Herald, October 21). – Trish Giles, Kiama Heights

Let’s raise a glass to the voters of Wentworth for giving our politicians the wake-up call they deserve. – Annette Winning, Riverview

To the Coalition, we hope you are listening now. Here’s what we want. Stop denying climate change. A humane refugee policy. A federal ICAC. Start supporting renewables. An energy policy. In other words: simply govern! – John Hallahan, Tempe

Wentworth voters have shown the Liberals that their narrow views on climate, refugees, religious freedom, foreign policy and education do not always reflect community views. Congratulations to Kerryn Phelps and all the other candidates who put forward views and options that better represent those of the community. – Sandra Burke, North Sydney

Congratulations to the Liberal MPs who dumped Malcolm Turnbull. Their action has resulted in the likely loss of a blue-ribbon seat and the probability of a chaotic Federal Parliament. I hope they are happy with themselves – because as a member of the Liberal Party for over 50 years and a resident in Wentworth, I am not! – Jessie Bartos, Darling Point

The next time someone mentions transaction cost you will know what they mean. – Stephen Lusher, Port Macquarie

To stop the instability and restore trust in the parliamentary process, Scott Morrison should call an election. We deserve a government that governs for the people. – Simon Chang, Katoomba

Australia needs an election now. It would clean out Abbott, Andrews, Dutton and all the other ‘‘head in the sand’’ right-wing conservatives if high-profile independents stood against them. The union movement, with Bill Shorten and Labor as its mouthpiece, would win in a landslide and three years later, hopefully, we can then elect a sensible government to restore order. – Ian McLeod, Wallendbeen

Dear Mr Morrison – unless you repudiate the right wing of your party, embrace strong effective policy on climate change, own Christian values on refugees,and reform donations you can expect the Wentworth result to be repeated across the nation. Perhaps that is the only way the Coalition can reform. – Martin Bailey, Wahroonga

A free bit of advice for any aspiring Liberal candidate: try and pick a safe seat to stand in. – Malcolm Paterson, Greenleigh

What a cracker of a speech Morrison made on Saturday night. Skilfully he also managed to give the ALP a spray. I’m still trying to work out how any of it was relevant in the context of his party’s electoral shellacking. – Bob Macfarlane, Mirabooka

I was interested to hear the Prime Minister say the Liberal Party is for people who ‘‘get up early in the morning’’. Are there no shiftworkers in the Liberal Party? – Judith Fleming, Sawtell

Fair go for Phelps, the choice of the people

After years of living in an electorate where I thought the majority aligned itself with the nasty politics of a group of self-righteous, opportunistic, hard-right, risk-averse politicians, it has been sweet relief to know that this is not so. If Scott Morrison is really listening, he will now know that we care about refugees, climate action, school parity, freedom for and from religion and many other issues that Kerryn Phelps has advocated for. Give her a chance, Mr Morrison. Australia is watching. – Beverley Fine, Dover Heights

Wentworth has chosen a Jewish, gay, female environmentalist. Conservative? – Alan Slade, Dover Heights

One less lawyer and one more doctor in Canberra can only be a good thing. – Justin Brash, Surry Hills

Phelps presents as an intelligent and compassionate person, untainted by political allegiances. She articulates community concerns. She is independent of the two soiled major political parties. Phelps embodies the yearning for political competence and integrity and humanity. – Michael Brooke, Kyogle

Now hang on a minute. Phelps said she wants to see the government survive until the general election and will not support a no-confidence motion in Parliament. But she also ran on a platform urging immediate action on climate change and an end to the cruelty inflicted on asylum-seekers on Nauru and Manus, a position which won her many votes. Obviously the government will be making no positive moves on either issue. Surely Phelps doesn’t countenance even more delay in addressing these two urgent matters. Or does she? We might be seeing another case of politicians’ words and actions not matching. – Daniel Flesch, Bellingen

While Phelps has called for the immediate removal of children and families from offshore detention, it is a concern that she advocates third-country settlement. This has not worked. Other countries have their own refugees. The Americans are being picky. The reason we have people living in despair in Manus Island and Nauru is because our government has not been successful in persuading enough other countries to take our refugees. Or, when given a generous offer by New Zealand, it has refused to take it up. Dr Phelps, if you genuinely care about the detainees, why not bring them to Australia? – Amalina Wallace, Erskineville

If Phelps had instead offered her thanks for the member for Warringah, rather than for the people of Warringah, on Saturday night, there would have been no mistake to correct. – Patrick Brislan, Point Clare

[Letters published in The Sydney Morning Herald 22/10/18.]