DStv Channel 403 Sunday, 24 November 2024

Sydney Opera House in row over coronation snub

The sails of the architectural masterpiece on Sydney Harbour are illuminated in colours for important occasions, such as the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022

SYDNEY - A royal row has erupted in Australia over a decision to scrap the lighting-up of the Sydney Opera House in honour of King Charles III's coronation.

The sails of the architectural masterpiece on Sydney Harbour are illuminated in colours for important occasions ranging from WorldPride to the Ukraine invasion anniversary and the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

But for Saturday's coronation, the soaring curves of the emblematic 50-year-old building were left dark.

New South Wales state premier Chris Minns said he had cancelled his predecessors' plans to light up the building for Charles, who is Australia's head of state.

"I would like to keep it for Australia and Australians and moments of sacrifice and heroism for the country, or when there's an important international event in Sydney," Minns told a radio interviewer on Monday.

The premier said the building's sails had been illuminated 70 times last year -- compared with 23 times a decade earlier -- at an estimated cost of Aus$80,000-100,000 (US$54,000-67,000) for each occasion.

People had many places to mark the coronation including on television, he told Sydney's 2GB radio.

"The event was not taking place in Sydney, it was taking place in London," Minns said.

"Of course, I respect the new king but I am mindful of where and when we spend taxpayer money."

Minns became premier on March 25 after his Labor Party won the state elections.

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