Revelation contradicts excuse given that plans were cancelled because of energy costs
Plans to illuminate the Sydney Opera House for the Coronation were scrapped for “political” reasons not because of energy costs, leaked Australian government emails reveal.
The revelation contradicts the excuse given by Chris Minns, the New South Wales premier, and comes as his federal counterparts in the centre-Left Labor Party – including republican Anthony Albanese, the Australian prime minister – consider the timing of a campaign to replace the King with an Australian head of state.
The commonwealth had encouraged nations to light up monuments in purple for coronation celebrations on May 6.
But days before the celebrations, the newly elected premier Mr Minns cited costs of between $80,000 and $100,000 as he confirmed the light show had been axed.