Hartcher may be right that GetUp was unwise to target named Liberal politicians in the election, rather than stick to what they do best, which is the issues. But his simplistic analysis that GetUp got Peter Dutton re-elected makes him sound like a Dutton apologist. - David Isaacs, Eastwood Sure, it may be that GetUp failed in its campaigns, and that it’s out of touch. It’s also possible that the nearly $60 million that Clive Palmer spent on his yellow advertisements might have made a difference, too. - Chris Edye, Pymble The miracle result for the Coalition at the federal election had nothing to do with GetUp. As a result of Palmer's spend targeting the Labor Party in every federal electorate across Australia, the Coalition increased its seats in the House of Representatives. I am left wondering if Clive is very good at it or not. I just hope he enjoys it. - Rick Johnston, Potts Point What about the substance of what GetUp has been trying to do? Not just with the campaigns but for attempting to remove the very people creating the issues that the campaigns need constantly to address. What is the media's role and responsibility in supporting the kind of society in Australia that GetUp is working to achieve? The media is for everyone and, like with sex and politics, not everyone there is performing well. - Gabi Duigu, Cammeray

GetUp, please start your own party. Get a charismatic leader who can explain to the people of Australia a real path. Start with educating the young; get them motivated, interested, instil in them altruistic virtues. Save Australia from the dearth of morality and humanity that is represented in Parliament. - Gail Grogan, Constitution Hill Mistreatment of horses an ethical race to the bottom Behind the veneer of glitz and glamour, the racing industry has always had a dark and sleazy underbelly (''Sport of kings: champagne tastes on butcher's budget'', October 19-20). The appalling images of the disgusting abuse of horses retired from racing, reminded me of the similarly sickening treatment of Australian cattle in an Indonesian abattoir a couple of years ago.

Very little difference actually. It makes one cringe whenever some politician starts prattling on about Australian values; whatever it is those values are supposed to be. - David Payne, Bermagui Just as a matter of interest, where do the bosses of racing think all those horses went to ('''Someone's been asleep': industry reels in shock at revelations'', October 19-20)? - Tony Sullivan, Adamstown Heights It was a lovely sunny, warm day in Sydney on Saturday. Thousands of people flocked to Randwick to watch The Everest horse race. I wonder how many were thinking of the thousands of horses that are destined to be inhumanely killed when they have “run out of puff.” - Carolyn Wills, Cremorne Is anyone naive enough to believe cows, sheep and pigs are treated any differently to horses? It's no good simply waving placards, the only way to put an end to animal brutality is to go vegan or vegetarian. As of today, I am vegetarian. - Alan Douglas, North Parramatta Everyone who has been sickened by the revelation can do something to help these poor creatures. Send a message to the racing industry. Boycott the Spring Carnival, stop betting on the races, don’t buy the sponsors’ products. Money is the only language they all understand. - Ulrike Cliff, Coopers Gully

If we want to send a clear signal to the racing industry about inhumane treatment of horses after their use-by date, boycott Melbourne Cup. It's the only way to get the rich without compassion to act quickly. - Mukul Desai, Hunters Hill The Opera House has proven itself to be a very useful advertising hoarding (''Racing must confront 'wastage' problem now'', October 19-20). Showing graphics of cruelty to horses sounds about right; with a bit of luck the sport of kings, might go the way of royalty. - Joe Weller, Lewisham I sincerely agree with all the correspondents about the cruel and inhumane treatment of thoroughbred racehorses and animals in general (Letters, October 19-20). We hardly do much better, with regard to cruelty, in our treatment of humans in offshore detention, refugees and people in aged-care facilities. Maybe our Australian society has a broader ethical problem that we need to address. - Mark Berg, Caringbah South It's prayer v blame on drought

Many progressive nations are making huge policy decisions re the climate emergency and putting money where their mouths are (''Leaving politicians behind on the path to tackling climate change'', October 19-20). What is the Australian government doing? Sitting on its hands and doing nothing in the way of long term policy. They simply front up to the media and spin their way out of doing anything substantial and long term. Their present ''policy'' is to simply pray for rain to break the drought and then hope the urgency of the climate issue will just quietly fade away. - Tony Sevil, Uralla I live in the country. I enjoy the peace and tranquillity of country life. Reading the commentary on the drought in metropolitan papers, I am left to think the current drought we face was caused by those in the country. When I look at our cities, nothing could be further from the truth. Horizon to horizon chimney stacks emit smoke, cars, trucks and buses move around aimlessly, and at night so many lights are on that you cannot see a star.

I hope city people blaming country people for climate change take the time to clean up their own act first. If this drought was caused by climate change, let's be clear, it is because of the filth generated in our cities. - Greg Adamson, Griffith Archbishop reflects congregation Julia Baird’s attack on Anglican Archbishop of Sydney Glenn Davies ignores the fact that his leadership has the overwhelming support of clergy and lay people in the Sydney Diocese when he defends traditional church teaching on marriage and sexuality (''Hints of purge and prejudice bring so much pain'', October 19-20). At a recent session of the diocesan synod more than 80 per cent of members voted by secret ballot in favour of a resolution which could lead to the Sydney Diocese withdrawing financial support from the national Anglican Church in the event that it approves the blessing of same-sex unions. - Tim Tunbridge, Collaroy Your correspondent asks why Sydney Anglicans uphold Leviticus 18:22 condemning same-sex activity along with other Bible passages prohibiting adultery and fornication, but seem to ignore earlier parts of Leviticus condemning the eating of shellfish (Letters, October 18).

Jesus overruled the passages on shellfish when he declared in Mark 7:19 that all food is clean and that it is only what comes from within us that is sinful - and that forgiveness for all is found in him. Anglicans and other Christian churches are instructed by 1 Timothy 1:10 not to teach contrary to "sound doctrine", hence the Archbishop has a legitimate right to articulate what current cultural thought is "false teaching". Being part of any Anglican church is voluntary - so feel free to join another religious group that fits with what you want to hear, or be like Henry VIII and go and break away to set up your own new church. - Polly Seidler, Darlinghurst World class bungle Australia's great rugby coach Bob Dwyer used to claim you could only win a World Cup with five or six world class players (''Wallabies walloped out of Cup'', The Sun-Herald, October 20). And where was Israel - one of the greatest rugby backs on the planet? Thanks ARU, thanks Qantas. - Phil Johnson, Dee Why

Last rites for the Wallabies in the World Cup. The result would have been so different if Australia's best player, Israel Folau, had not been crucified for his beliefs, and had been in his rightful place; in the team. - Elizabeth Vickers, Maroubra OK, Peter Dutton, now cancel the passports of Eddie Jones and Ricky Stuart and any other Aussies fighting against us as coaches. Banish them to life in the UK! - Robin McKay, Caddens What of tired cabin crew? The recent articles regarding Qantas' sunrise flights make no mention of the cabin crew (''Airline hopes 20-hour flights go the distance'', October 19-20). As I understand it, they are trained to deal with all manner of in-flight emergencies and they are the ones who will be evacuating us from any crashed aircraft. Yet there is no mention of them, or of any regulations regarding their flight time limitations. Are they not part of the safety team too, or is it only the pilots who suffer from fatigue? - Trish Waites, Terrigal Honesty and Trump don't mix

Bruce Wolpe sums up US President Donald Trump's many failings well (''The most ruthlessly honest president of our times'', October 19-20). However, saying that he is ruthlessly honest is misleading. Ruthless yes, honest, definitely no. In fact, it has been pointed out by various sources that he has made at least 12,000 false or misleading claims since he became President. - Robyn Park, Balgowlah Natural beauty is art enough Every rare space of natural beauty in Sydney seems to get filled up with stuff (''Sculpture by the Sea muscled out of Bondi'', The Sun-Herald, October 20). The Bondi to Bronte coastal walk is one of these places - each year the sculptures left the surroundings denuded for months afterwards, and now there are these permanent garish outdoor gyms. Surely the beauty of the coastline itself should be enough for people to visit. - Sarah Benmayor, Bondi

After years of littering our coastline with their unique combination of pretentiousness, self-indulgence, and single-gag crowd bait, it’s time to call BS on Sculpture by the Sea’s argument that their childish threat to take their ball and go home has anything at all to do with art or aesthetics. - Peter Fyfe, Enmore Engrossed in impoliteness Your correspondent suggests that carrying a walking stick assists with encouraging others to exhibit manners and give up their seat (Letters, October 19-20). The agonising choice is between pretending you’re young and fit enough to not care, and having a (mostly invisible, unless you look closely at the crooked person) back condition which causes increased pain if you stand too long. I have found saying, “I’m sorry, do you mind if I sit down” quite effective, albeit somewhat embarrassing. My children were raised to get up for anyone older or disabled, but the “I’m engrossed on my phone and can’t see you” response seems to have taken over for most. - Eva Elbourne, Pennant Hills To submit a letter to The Sydney Morning Herald, email letters@smh.com.au. Click here for tips on how to submit letters.