Grumbles grow over Pope's upcoming visit to Australia
"Complaints grew Monday over the cost of Pope Benedict XVI's planned visit to Australia in July for the Roman Catholic Church's World Youth Day, which is expected to draw some 125,000 pilgrims.
"An opposition politician called on the Church to bear the brunt of the costs after it was revealed that taxpayers would contribute 86 million dollars (80 million US) towards the event in Sydney.
"'The Catholic Church is the organisation that will gain the biggest benefit from this event, not the people of New South Wales,' said Greens party member of the state parliament, Lee Rhiannon.
"'It's a clear promotional event and, therefore, they should be footing the main part of the bill,' she told national radio ...
"On top of the 86 million dollars for services, such as security and traffic management, is another 42 million dollars in compensation to the Australian Jockey Club to secure the Randwick Racecourse for the papal mass on July 20 ..."
AFP
Categories: christianity, australia, sydney
"An opposition politician called on the Church to bear the brunt of the costs after it was revealed that taxpayers would contribute 86 million dollars (80 million US) towards the event in Sydney.
"'The Catholic Church is the organisation that will gain the biggest benefit from this event, not the people of New South Wales,' said Greens party member of the state parliament, Lee Rhiannon.
"'It's a clear promotional event and, therefore, they should be footing the main part of the bill,' she told national radio ...
"On top of the 86 million dollars for services, such as security and traffic management, is another 42 million dollars in compensation to the Australian Jockey Club to secure the Randwick Racecourse for the papal mass on July 20 ..."
AFP
Categories: christianity, australia, sydney
Pip Wilson posted item above at 1:58 PM | Permalink
1 Comments:
Is it true those coming for Sydney's 2008 Mardi Gras II/Cross-dressers convention can obtain free visas?
How do we monitor how many subsequently apply for/achieve refugee status in Australia?
Post a Comment
<< Home