‘Toned down’ Opera House advert approved

A plan to project a horse racing advertisement on the famed sails of the Sydney Opera House is dividing Australians.

The New South Wales state government stepped in to allow the advertisement to be displayed today after the opera house chief executive Louise Herron opposed the advert.

State Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the advertising for The Everest horse race had been “toned down”.

“It’s important for us to support our major events, it’s important for us to promote New South Wales but, of course, do it in good taste,” Ms Berejiklian said.

More than 130,000 people had signed an online petition by early yesterday to stop the promotion.

Critics have said the move is crass commercialism and threatens the iconic building’s value.