The South Australian authorities is refusing to disclose how a lot taxpayer cash was used to host international pop star Sam Smith for an invite-only live performance.
Some fortunate ticket holders have been flown in from interstate and put up within the state's greatest resorts for the occasion funded with public cash.
Three-hundred folks have been within the crowd together with influencers, media, and competitors winners to look at Smith's unique McLaren Vale vineyard occasion.
Tourism Minister Zoe Bettison stated a confidentiality settlement had been signed.
"I can inform you it's a lot lower than the million dollars that is being proposed," she stated.
Opposition spokeswoman Michelle Lensink stated taxpayer cash was "a scarce useful resource".
"We all know there are plenty of South Australians who're hurting in the mean time," she stated.
The British singer was delivered to South Australia to advertise the state.
"We have got to go on the market and do issues otherwise," Bettison stated.
The tourism minister stated the celebrity had tens of millions of followers on Instagram, which supplied the state a precious advertising alternative.
As of Monday, Smith had solely uploaded three Instagram posts selling the state, together with one at an area McDonald's.
"It was an intimate alternative to focus on the great thing about our state," Bettison stated.
"The McDonald's submit in fact was not a part of the contract."
Particular friends have been requested to make use of a hashtag on their social media to advertise South Australia whereas they have been served up foods and drinks funded by the taxpayer.
Out of the 300 attendees, the minister stated 205 have been funded by the taxpayer with some needing flights, lodging and transportation.
The tourism minister insisted it was cash nicely spent and claimed the occasion generated $14 million in free promoting by way of the influential crowd.
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