A decision to scrap plans to light the sails of the Sydney Opera House in honour of the coronation of King Charles has been defended by the premier of the state of New South Wales, Chris Minns.
The famous sails of the Opera House are often lit for major events in Australia, including for a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II after she died and a controversial projection promoting a horse race.
But Saturday’s coronation did not make the cut, with the recently elected Labor government in the state reversing its predecessor’s decision to do so.
Citing a cost of between $80,000 and $100,000, Minns, whose party defeated the conservative Coalition government in a state election in March, argued the financial burden on taxpayers would have been significant and said the sails were being lit too often.
“It was lit up for everything from solemn occasions to … a football team that was touring,” he told Sydney radio station 2GB on Monday.
“Of course I respect the new king but I’m mindful of where and when we spend taxpayers’ money.
“I’d like to keep it for Australia and Australians, and for moments of sacrifice and heroism for the country – or when there’s an important international event in Sydney.”
Since coming into power the government has already rejected a number of requests to light up the Opera House from various organisations and for religious events, in a bid to be more selective.
The sails were lit on 23 days in 2012, but that ballooned to more than 70 days last year to showcase various events in the country.
The Australian Monarchist League condemned the decision not to light the sails for the king.
“Had the premier contacted the Australian Monarchist League, our members would readily have contributed towards the funding for this purpose on this important occasion,” the statement said.
“From now on, should taxpayer funds ever be used to light up buildings, it will prove that this decision was based on Mr Minn’s [sic] republican sympathies and not on cost,” it said.
The sails are lit annually to mark Sydney’s month long festival of art and technology, Vivid Sydney, featuring artists work such as John Olsen.
In 2020 the sails were lit to mark the 20th anniversary of athlete Cathy Freeman winning gold at the Sydney Olympics in the women’s 400m race.
In 2018, the state’s racing body controversially received approval to project an advertisement for a horse race, drawing the ire of many Australians. Hundreds of demonstrators shone torches on the sails in protest against the commercialisation of the world heritage-listed structure.
A Sydney Opera House spokesperson said work was being done on an “updated sails lighting policy, including greater clarity about the type and frequency of projections permitted”.
“Over the past 10 years, there has been a substantial increase in the number of requests to illuminate the sails, including from community groups, charities, organisations, foreign embassies/consulates and the NSW government,” the spokesperson said.
“As a place that belongs to all Australians, the opera house takes seriously its responsibility to protect the cultural heritage significance of the World Heritage-listed building while meeting community and artistic expectations.
“The opera house does not charge a fee for these projections, it is only required to turn off its floodlights. The costs incurred are for third-party service providers.”
