The NSW government is standing by its decision to force Sydney Opera House management to promote a horse race despite an increasingly vocal community backlash describing the move as "crass commercialism".
Premier Gladys Berejiklian intervened late last week after shock jock Alan Jones publicly berated Opera House chief executive Louise Herron who had ruled words or branding promoting the Everest Cup shouldn't be projected onto the sails because "it's not a billboard".
The Sydney Opera House was used to celebrate the Australian Wallabies making the Rugby World Cup final against New Zealand in 2015. Source: AAP
So far, more than 150,000 people have signed a change.org petition to protect the Opera House from "Alan Jones and his gambling mates at Racing NSW".
"I wanted to show support for Louise Herron's resistance to putting gambling advertising on our city and state's most recognisable landmark," petition organiser Mike Woodcock wrote.
Former chief executive Michael Lynch says using the iconic venue to promote Tuesday night's barrier draw for Saturday's $13 million race is a "crass, inappropriate and offensive use of the Opera House sails".
Mr Lynch says in the past victories by the Australian rugby and cricket teams have been celebrated using the Opera House but they were very different scenarios.
"I don't think the general public feels any similar feelings towards a horse race where you have to pay $600,000 to enter," he told ABC radio on Monday.
National Trust NSW conservation director Graham Quint also labelled the move "crass commercialism".
"The World Heritage listing requires not only that the building be preserved in its fabric but also that it be presented properly," he told ABC TV.
"In no way under the current conservation management plan should this be allowed. This is private commercialism as opposed to Australia supporting the Wallabies or the Olympics."
NSW Premier 'incredibly comfortable'
But Ms Berejiklian on Monday insisted she was "incredibly comfortable" with her intervention.
"We would never do anything that wouldn't support the iconic stature of the Opera House but it is also extremely important for us to promote those events that bring jobs and economic activity to NSW," she told reporters.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison on the weekend said the Opera House was "the biggest billboard Sydney has" and it should be utilised along with the Harbour Bridge.
The PM on Monday said: "It's not like they're painting it (the promotion) on there."
Federal Opposition leader Bill Shorten was quick to attack the PM's description of "national icons".
"The Opera House is not a billboard, it's a thing of great beauty," he told reporters in Melbourne.
"It's part of our national treasure and deserves the respect that comes with that."
The Labor leader told Mr Morrison: "You're not a marketing executive, you're the prime minister".
Mr Morrison was Tourism Australia's director in the mid-2000s when he oversaw the controversial ad campaign featuring Lara Bingle asking would-be visitors "Where the bloody hell are you?"
Alan Jones defends tough interview
Jones on Monday denied bullying Ms Herron last week arguing she had been spouting "nonsense" about heritage when he wanted an answer.
The broadcaster said he'd been tough on plenty of people and suggested Ms Herron herself was a "tyrant".
Sydney Opera House's chief executive, Louise Herron (middle) initially rejected the Racing NSW's proposal. Source: AAP
Racing NSW chief executive Peter V'landys on Monday told Sky New he and his staff had received death threats.
But a spokeswoman for NSW Police told AAP she wasn't aware of any reports of such threats.
Mr V'landys said Racing NSW had been negotiating with the state government for more than a year and initially wanted to use the Harbour Bridge to promote the race.
"The Opera House was the alternate venue put forward by the NSW government which wanted to support the promotion of the event internationally," he wrote in an opinion piece published by Fairfax.
