Sydney's global icon, the Opera House, is reported to be in such severe financial straits it could face permanent closure.
Damning internal reports reveal the cash crisis is so desperate that performers' lives are at risk from ancient stage machinery because there is no money to update it, the Daily Telegraph reports.
Desperate government action is needed to keep the venue operating, a senior Opera House source told the paper.
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"The nation has used and abused the Opera House since day one but very few governments have put their hand up to to contribute to overall maintenance," the source said.
"The reports clearly indicate if something radical isn't done here, the opera house will have to close."
Opera House chief executive Richard Evans has confirmed it may have to close permanently if state and federal governments do not give $800 million to replace stage machinery, The Telegraph says.
In April last year Prime Minister Kevin Rudd reportedly "hit the roof" after The Daily Telegraph revealed former premier Nathan Rees planned a $900 million rebuild of the venue.
