Real reason NSW Premier Chris Minns kept Opera House dark for King

Despite claims the Sydney Opera House wasn’t lit up for the Coronation of King Charles III due to cost, emails reveal otherwise.

Emails between staffers in the Department of Premier and Cabinet have revealed the decision to not light the Sydney Opera House to mark King Charles III’s Coronation was “political”.

After facing criticism for cancelling plans approved by his predecessor Dominic Perrottet, Mr Minns said the move would have cost taxpayers between $80,000 to $100,000.

However, documents released through a GIPA request lodged by Liberal upper house MP Chris Rath suggested there were other factors involved, with potential options to light the Opera House sails for about $10,000.

Despite directives from the Commonwealth to light up key monuments for the Coronation of King Charles III, the Sydney Opera House was kept dark. Picture: Chris Jackson/ Getty Images

In emails between staffers within the Department of Premier and Cabinet, one senior member asked: “For interest as I am interested in how the things are decided, can I ask if that is a political decision or a conservation/ operational one?”

In response, the associate director wrote: “More political … from the Premier.”

The tranche of communique also revealed there were potentially cheaper options that would have cost “about $10,000”.

“Given the Commonwealth’s request that states and territories encourage buildings and monuments to light royal purple for the occasion, is there any interest in pursuing the SOH be lit purple instead?” read another email from the department’s staffer.

“I understand this costs about $10k for a purple wash if SOH are OK with it.”

Emails between staffers questioning why plans to light up the Opera House were ignored suggested the reason was ‘political’. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Nikki Short

While plans to illuminate the Opera House were scrapped, other landmarks and buildings were illuminated, including Admiralty House in Kirribilli and the Cape Bowling Green Lighthouse in the Australian National Maritime Museum.

The Opera House was lit up during the FIFA Women’s World Cup to commemorate the Matildas’ games against France, Denmark and England.

The red and white ambulance ribbon was also projected onto the sails as a tribute to Wollongong paramedic Steven Tougher, who was allegedly stabbed to death while on-shift at a Campbelltown McDonald’s.

The Opera House was also illuminated with the flag of India to mark the visit of India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi; however, this was paid for by the Commonwealth.

The sails were illuminated for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Picture: POOL/ NCA NewsWire/ James Brickwood

Responding to the backlash around keeping the Opera House dark for the Coronation, Mr Minns said the tribute should instead be used to commemorate “important heroic events for the state”.

“I do believe it’s important to protect taxpayer money and frankly, I think it was just being lit up too often,” he said.

“I want to make it clear I think the Opera House is for Australia and Australians, for important events and achievements that they’ve been able to accomplish.

“International events where Australia needs to project solidarity with another country, like for example 911, or the invasion of Ukraine, (and) events that are taking place in Sydney.”