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[> [> Just remember what happened the last time Australia hosted the pageant.....(the stage collasped!!).... -- ....Disaster may strike again!, 07:20:13 08/27/05 Sat [1]

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>>State risks losing Miss Universe pageant
>>By Braden Quartermaine
>>
>>August 21, 2005
>>
>>
>>A State Government has been accused of dilly-dallying
>>over an opportunity to host the Miss Universe
>>extravaganza next year.
>>While EventsCorp is talking up the Tri-Nations Bowls
>>Series and the Kings Park Wildflower Festival, the
>>chance to showcase WA's tourism hot spots to a world
>>television audience of 800 million could be lost.
>>
>>The Sunday Times can reveal that the State Government
>>was alerted to the opportunity six months ago ?for a
>>bargain $US6 million ($7.99 million) hosting fee.
>>
>>But the Donald Trump-backed Miss Universe organisation
>>has been kept on hold and a decision to back the
>>venture is needed from the State Government within 10
>>days ?or they will look to the eastern states.
>>
>>But Tourism Minister Mark McGowan told The Sunday
>>Times yesterday he was not about to throw away
>>taxpayers' money, particularly after the former Court
>>government burnt millions of dollars on the failed
>>Global Dance and Elle Racing tourism projects.
>>
>>Mr McGowan wants answers from Miss Universe about the
>>exact nature of benefits the event would bring the
>>state.
>>
>>Advertisement:
>>He was sceptical and wanted to be sure not only of the
>>cost to taxpayers and the financial benefits for the
>>state, but also the credentials of the proponent.
>>
>>"When a person comes and asks for up to $20 million of
>>WA taxpayers' money, we need to properly and fully
>>assess his bona fides and whether he has the capacity
>>of delivering what he says he can," Mr McGowan said.
>>
>>"I'm not going to get sucked in.
>>
>>"We have been asking for this information for months
>>and we still haven't been provided with a full
>>monetary breakdown. I do not intend to be loose with
>>WA citizens' dollars."
>>
>>On hearing Miss Universe bosses wanted to bring the
>>glittering show to Australia, WA businessman Jonathan
>>Westbrook convinced vice president Tony Santomauro
>>that Perth was the best option.
>>
>>Perth hosted the event in 1979, when a ramp to the
>>stage infamously collapsed.
>>
>>Mr Westbrook, a beauty pageant judge, has been
>>frustrated by what he says is the Government's
>>lackadaisical attitude. He claims EventsCorp knocked
>>back his urgent request for a meeting on Friday.
>>
>>In an email on Thursday, EventsCorp told him it would
>>get back to him in early September.
>>
>>"EventsCorp has a busy schedule for the next two
>>weeks," the email said.
>>
>>It was proposed that at least 80 Miss Universe
>>finalists from around the world would spend three to
>>four weeks in WA in the lead-up to the May event,
>>attending daily events and photo shoots at spectacular
>>tourist destinations around the state.
>>
>>Mr Westbrook said the event would be beamed to 170
>>countries and would be a $1 billion shot in the arm to
>>WA's tourism industry.
>>
>>As well as the hosting fee, the State Government would
>>have to provide a letter of credit for another $US6
>>million in running costs, which could be recouped by
>>sponsorship.

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