The SMH argues that the Prime Minister needs more policy wins that strengthen his leadership enough to survive through to the next election and even stare down the conservatives.
The SMH points out that Mr Turnbull's great task of political management is to keep the conservative wing of his party with him as he governs from what he calls the "sensible centre" in line with the personal beliefs that make him popular with many voters.
The paper supports a conscience vote on same-sex marriage, but not at the price of Mr Turnbull's prime ministership. Therefore, it says, Liberal moderates thinking about crossing the floor to get a same-sex marriage vote through need to consider whether speeding up the timetable is worth risking the moderate Mr Turnbull's leadership.
The SMH explains that there is progress not just on schools funding but on health with more funding for public hospitals and the thawing of the Medicare rebate freeze, on the $6 billion bank tax (though the Herald supports a Royal Commission), and it says clean energy will be the big test for the next parliamentary term.
The SMH argues that the Prime Minster needs to hit the ground running after the winter recess and land more policy wins that strengthen his leadership enough to survive through to the next election and even stare down the conservatives.
