Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al-Qassam Brigades says its fighters are engaging in fierce clashes with the occupation forces, killing and wounding soldiers east of Jabalia camp.
Israeli media platforms are circulating preliminary reports about a multi-causality ambush in Jabalia camp, Gaza.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: 35 martyrs, 75 injured in occupation targeting of civilians seeking food aid in Rafah, Khan Younis, southern Gaza.
Da Silva: What is happening in Gaza is not a war, it is a genocide
Da Silva: Even the Jewish people do not want this war; it is revenge by a government against the possibility of establishing a Palestinian state
Brazilian President Lula da Silva: What we are seeing is not a war between two armies. [What we have is a] completely professional army that is killing women and children in the Gaza Strip.
Hamas: We affirm our readiness to immediately begin a round of indirect negotiations to reach an agreement on the points of contention
Hamas: We welcome the continued Qatari and Egyptian efforts to end the war waged by the Zionist occupation against our people
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli occupation forces blew up Noura Al-Kaabi Hospital, designated for kidney dialysis patients, in the northern Gaza Strip
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli drone targets a car on the Ayta al-Shaab-Debel road in southern Lebanon

Trouble amid refusal to light Sydney Opera House for UK coronation

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 8 May 2023 16:29
3 Min Read

The Premier of New South Wales argues that taxpayers would suffer a financial burden as a result of the exorbitant cost.

  • x
  • Fireworks explode near the Sydney Opera House as part of New Year's celebrations on Sydney Harbour, Australia on Dec. 31, 2017 (Reuters)
    Fireworks explode near the Sydney Opera House as part of New Year's celebrations in Sydney Harbour, Australia on Dec. 31, 2017 (Reuters)

The Premier of the state of New South Wales, Chris Minns, has supported the decision not to light up the sails of the Sydney Opera House in honor of King Charles' coronation - naming the cost of between $80,000 and $100,000 as a main reason why. 

Minns argued that taxpayers would suffer a financial burden as a result and that the sails, often lit for major celebrations in Australia, were being lit up too often. 

Speaking to Sydney radio station 2GB on Monday, he said, “It was lit up for everything from solemn occasions to … a football team that was touring,” adding, “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.”

On May 6, King Charles III was officially crowned King in the first coronation in the UK since 1953, alongside his wife who is now Queen, Camilla Bowles. 

Read next: Museum of Sydney to transform into Aboriginal cultural space

Related News

Fearing arrests, Australian academics refuse to attend US conferences

Activists to protest Australian arms company supplying 'Israel'

In 2012, the sails were turned on and lit for 23 days but last year in 2022, it was recorded as lit for 70 days as a result of various events in Australia. 

However, the decision was condemned by the Australian Monarchist League in a statement saying, “Had the premier contacted the Australian Monarchist League, our members would readily have contributed towards the funding for this purpose on this important occasion". 

“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 continued. 

In 2020, the sails were lit up to mark the 20th anniversary of athlete Cathy Freeman winning a gold at the Sydney Olympics.

Back in 2018, the state’s racing organization was controversially approved to project an ad for a horse race, which prompted hundreds of demonstrators to shine torches on the sails in protest against the commercialization of the structure. 

A spokesperson for the Opera House said an “updated sails lighting policy, including greater clarity about the type and frequency of projections permitted” was in the works, adding that in the "past 10 years, there has been a substantial increase in the number of requests to illuminate the sails, including from community groups, charities, organizations, foreign embassies/consulates and the NSW government". 

“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.”

  • Sydney
  • Sydney Opera House
  • Britain
  • King Charles III
  • King's coronation
  • UK
  • Australia

Most Read

President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrive to a news conference in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, in Washington (AP)

Rift widens: Trump, Netanyahu clash in heated phone call over Iran

  • Politics
  • 26 May 2025
Lebanon's PM Nawaf Salam meets with US envoy Morgan Ortagus in Beirut on April 5, 2025 (Dalati Nohra via AP)AP)

Morgan Ortagus to exit US role in Lebanon amid policy shift

  • Politics
  • 1 Jun 2025
An Israeli army vehicle moves in the Gaza Strip as seen from southern occupied Palestine, Thursday, May 29, 2025 (AP)

Hamas rejects Witkoff ceasefire plan, says alters terms

  • Politics
  • 29 May 2025
Spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, announces a new operation against Ben Gurion Airport on May 29, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen announces successful hypersonic missile strike on Ben Gurion

  • Politics
  • 30 May 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Russia-Ukraine peace talks resume in Istanbul amid escalating war
Europe

Ukraine, Russia head for Istanbul talks as battles rage, cmdr. resigns

Australia urged to join Macron-led push for Palestinian statehood
Asia Pacific

Australia urged to join Macron-led push for Palestinian statehood

‘Israel’ lost international legitimacy for war on Gaza: Israeli media
Palestine

‘Israel’ lost 'international legitimacy' for Gaza war: Israeli media

MSF Chief: US-Israeli aid plan in Gaza ‘Dehumanising’
Politics

US-Israeli aid plan in Gaza used as tool for forced displacement: MSF

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS