From Landmark to Billboard: Advertising on the Sydney Opera House - Behind the News
2,730 views · Published 19 October 2018 · 3:43 · Indexed 27 October 2026
Channel: Behind the News · 2018 · Education
Should advertising be allowed to be projected onto famous landmarks like the Opera House? Australia's most iconic building has lit up a massive debate. Each year a horse race called the Everest Cup is held in Sydney. And in the lead up to this year's event Racing NSW asked the people in charge of the Sydney Opera House to advertise the race on its sails in powerful lights. The Opera House boss said no. But after a controversial interview with a radio host the NSW Premier stepped in to allow it to happen. GLADYS BEREJIKLIAN, NSW PREMIER: I believe what we are doing is in the right interest of Sydney and NSW. And I say to people look at the display before you judge it. Some people supported the Premier's decision saying it was only going to be lit up briefly for one night and that it's been used to promote Australian sport before. ANTHONY ALBANESE, MP: What I have said as shadow tourism minister is it is reasonable that we promote major events in Sydney. SCOTT MORRISON, PM: This is one of the biggest events of the year. Why not put it on the biggest billboard Sydney has? But others were very much against the Opera House being used as a 'billboard'. They said the Opera House is a World Heritage Cultural Site, so it should be treated with respect and technically it's against heritage site rules to advertise anything on it. Some people especially disliked using these famous sails to promote a gambling event. So, hundreds of thousands signed a petition to try to stop it from happening. GRAHAM QUINT, NATIONAL TRUST: People have a great deal of respect for the Opera House. It's world heritage so people worldwide treasure it not just Australians and the idea we would use it for a Parramatta Road billboard is quite wrong. BILL SHORTEN, LABOR PARTY: The Opera House is not a billboard it's a thing of great beauty, it’s part of our national treasure and deserves the respect that comes with it. Despite the days of arguments, the projection went ahead. And at the same time about a thousand-people showed up to protest and shine torches at the building making the ads harder to see. In the end Racing NSW says it won't try to do it again next year. And the NSW Premier says she is disappointed that the heated debate ended up dividing her state. But what do you think? Should advertising ever be allowed on famous landmarks like the Opera House? _ For the past 50 years, Behind the News has been helping to break down current issues and events for young people all around the world. The program is a high-energy, fun way for people to learn about the stories we see in the news, while providing background information that isn’t usually given by other news bulletins. We have over 1000 stories on all sorts of topics - everything from politics & volcanoes, to online security & fortnite. If you're looking for help to understand something, you'll probably find it on BTN. Make sure to like & subscribe our videos if you want to stay in the know! Visit our website: http://www.abc.net.au/btn/ Follow us on Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abcbtn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behindthenews/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/behindthenews
