Sydney at odds over horse race adverts

Australia

A culture war has erupted in Australia after Sydney Opera House was ordered to allow advertisements for the world’s richest horse race to be beamed on to the sails of its roof.

Louise Herron, its chief executive, argued that the adverts would compromise the building’s UN World Heritage listing as ‘‘one of the indisputable masterpieces of human creativity’’. It may also breach the opera house’s requirement that the promotional use of its roof be restricted to events of major cultural or community significance, she argued. ‘‘It is not a giant billboard.’’

This prompted outrage from the popular right-wing radio host Alan Jones, 75, a former national rugby union coach and racehorse owner who has great sway over politicians. When Herron put her arguments to him on air, he retorted: ‘‘Who the hell do you think you are?’’ He said he would speak to her boss, the premier of New South Wales, Gladys Berejiklian. Hours later Herron had been overruled and told that the opera house would be lit up with adverts for the A$13 million (NZ$14.2M) Everest race to be run in Sydney on Saturday.

The decision prompted anger in the arts community, which believes that Australia’s greatest cultural asset is too easily given over to the rich and powerful. Scott Morrison, the prime minister and a former marketing executive, said he could not see what all the fuss was about. ‘‘Why not put it on the biggest billboard Sydney has? Frankly, I thought it was a no-brainer.’’

Peter Hall, the son of the Australian architect who completed the opera house’s design, said: ‘‘My father would have been sickened by it. Lucky he’s not around to see the desecration of our beautiful iconic masterpiece.’’ – The Times

FAIRFAX Right-wing radio Alan Jones and NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian have forced a decision to allow advertising for a horse race to be projected on the sails of the Sydney Opera House.