Radio king Alan Jones has so much power he can shine lights on the Opera House
Scott Morrison agrees with the decision to project promotions for a horserace on the Sydney Opera House sails. ABC, yesterday:
This is one of the biggest events of the year. Why not put it on the biggest billboard Sydney has? These events generate massive economic opportunities for the state, for the city. Look at the biggest event this place sees every year down at Bathurst. I’d put the Bathurst 1000 on the Harbour Bridge if I thought it was going to get more people there. It’s just common sense, I don’t know why people are getting so precious about it.
Raising an objection over the plan, Opera House chief executive Louise Herron on 2GB, Friday:
We have a policy that protects our world heritage status.
Host Alan Jones demurred:
We own the Opera House. Do you get that message? You don’t. You manage it … if I were (Premier) Gladys Berejiklian, I would pick up the phone and sack you today.
When Jones asked why Herron objected, she replied:
It’s not a billboard.
Jones replied:
Who said? You. Who the hell do you think … who do you think you are?
According to Bloomberg website:
Louise Herron has been CEO of the Sydney Opera House Trust since August 6, 2012. (She) has extensive involvement with the arts community.
The Daily Telegraph, Saturday
(Gladys) Berejiklian took the rare step in a bid to use the cultural landmark to promote the $13 million racing event. The agreement reached will see the Everest trophy, barrier numbers and jockey silk colours beamed on to the Opera House sails in a light show to coincide with the barrier draw on Tuesday night.
The ABC quotes Berejiklian, yesterday:
What is right for government is to do what is in the best interests of the community, and that’s what we’ve done on this occasion. I’m absolutely confident it’s the right thing to do … I believe what we’re doing is in the right interests of Sydney and NSW and also there is precedent. Have a look at the display before you judge it.
Move over #MeToo. Erin Keane, Salon’s editor of culture, Saturday:
Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation will do many things in the long run. Along the way, it reassures men and those invested in their power that their status is secure. Status confers power, regardless of one’s fitness to wield it. Who are women to demand men like Brett Kavanaugh give theirs up? More likely than not we’re going to find out.
ABC chief foreign correspondent Philip Williams, yesterday:
And the final vote was a procedure. In its wake, a chasm of resentment — from liberals who believe the judge is unfit to sit on the highest court of the land, and from conservatives who say he has been treated like a rapist for pure political gain. It’s a Democrat dirty tricks plot, say many. The President, Donald Trump, went further, accusing the anti-Kavanaugh protesters of being paid stooges.
Meanwhile, Trump was in Minnesota for a pre-election rally with the faithful. Williams continues:
And what a message he had to sell. A fresh victory on the Supreme Court and the lowest unemployment figures in half a century … If he loses control of congress, he is in greater danger of impeachment. And if the Democrats win both chambers, his powers … will be gutted. A lame-duck President. And we know how much he hates losers.