Phelps Says No To Opera House Advertising Plan

Independent candidate for the seat of Wentworth, Dr Kerryn Phelps, has rejected plans to display racing advertisements on the Sydney Opera House.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian caved into media pressure to allow a promotion for The Everest horse race to be beamed onto the world heritage-listed building.
The Prime Minister as well as the federal and state Labor Party have since backed the Premier’s position.
"The Sydney Opera House is a cultural icon of national and international significance," Dr Phelps said.
"The Opera House is not a billboard to be leased out to the highest bidder.
"Both the Liberal and Labor parties have got it wrong here and I suspect a majority of people in Wentworth agree with me."
In 2007, the Sydney Opera House was included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
"This is crass commercialism and you have to wonder why the Liberal and Labor parties have caved in on this – whose interests do they represent?" Dr Phelps said.
"I’ve been out in the electorate today and I haven’t spoken to anyone who supports this outrageous plan.
"I will continue to stand up for the things I believe in without fear or favour, in the same way that Opera House chief executive Louise Herron stood up for herself over the past few days.
"This is a slippery slope and we need to respect the cultural identity of our great city and one of the great buildings of the world."