Racing NSW staff receive death threats over Opera House campaign

The boss of Racing NSW has told Sky News he and his staff have received death threats over the highly controversial push to promote The Everest horse race on the sails of the Opera House.

Racing NSW planned style of advertisements to be projected onto the Sydney Opera House. Source: Racing NSW

Peter V’landys says staff at the light projection company are among those who have received the death threats. The New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian says the promotion is a great tourism opportunity for the state.

Tens of thousands of people are petitioning to block a plan by broadcaster Alan Jones to turn the Sydney Opera House into a 'billboard' for a horse race.

On Friday, New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian overruled Opera House management forcing it to allow Racing New South Wales to advertise the up-coming Everest Cup horse race on the sails of the iconic venue.

The premier denies her intervention followed bullying from broadcaster Alan Jones, who's been accused of harassing Opera House chief executive Louise Herron on the topic during an interview on Friday.

Ms Berejiklian says the promotion is a great tourism opportunity for the state.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has also backed the campaign, saying those who oppose the plan need to have a 'lie down' and stop being 'so precious.'

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