The federal environment minister would be given the power to stop the Sydney Opera House being used as a billboard under a Labor proposal to better protect heritage sites.
Under The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC Act) the Commonwealth has a "responsibility and an interest" in protecting cultural and natural heritage, but this can't be enforced.
"Labor will ensure that the words that are in the (management) plans made under the EPBC Act aren't just nice ideas," Labor's environment spokesman Tony Burke said.
Labor will push to ensure the Sydney Opera House won't be used as a billboard.
AAP Image/ Racing NSW via AP
The NSW government came under intense pressure earlier this month after its decision to force Sydney Opera House management to promote a $13 million horse race with some critics saying the move is illegal.
More than 1000 people gathered to shine torches, lamps and even mobile phones onto the Opera House’s sails last week in an attempt to disrupt the display of the projection, which was displaying the barrier draw for this Saturday’s Everest Cup race.
But Premier Gladys Berejiklian has refused to rule out using the Opera House to promote further events.
“Obviously we are always about supporting events. I hear loudly what people have said about the Opera House,” she told Today.
