Oprah Winfrey Visit to Cost Australian Taxpayers $3M

By PopEater Staff Posted Sep 14th 2010 07:50AM

Oprah Winfrey announced this week that she's taking a plane full of fans on a trip to Australia, where she'll be taping several episodes of her talk show and shuttling her guests to various sights. The total cost of the trip is unknown, but Australian taxpayers will help foot the bill -- to the tune of $3 million ($2.7M USD), the nation's tourism minister said Tuesday.

The trip is being carried out in conjunction with airline Qantas and will be partly financed with funds in the annual tourism budget.

"I think it's money well spent," Martin Ferguson told reporters after making the announcement in Sydney. "This truly represents an amazing opportunity to showcase Australia, the warmth and hospitality of our people and the depth and breadth of everything our country has to offer visitors from around the world."

The government of New South Wales, the state where Sydney is located, will fork over between $1 million and $2 million of the country's investment in the trip.

Sensing there may be some backlash from taxpayers, former tourism minister John Brown has implored the media not to be "cynical about the cost."

"We spent hundreds of millions of dollars over 30 years without much effect, I must say that honestly," he said. "The publicity that Oprah will bring to Australia around the world is something you couldn't buy."

Winfrey announced the grand gesture on the debut of the final season of 'The Oprah Winfrey Show.'

"Because, after all, this really is my 25th season and this is really my last chance to do something really big," she explained.

There will be two episodes of 'Oprah's Ultimate Australian Adventure,' which will feature O's biggest fans down under, in places like the Sydney Opera House. The trip will happen this coming December.

"It's one of the places I've always wanted to visit, and who better to take with me on this trip of a lifetime than some of my most loyal viewers. My team has been planning this trip for almost a year and we are so excited," Oprah said in a statement.

After airing, Oprah tweeted that she was pleased no one let the news leak. "Audience -- it's unbelievable that you kept that secret all weekend!! Way to go mates," she wrote.

Tags: australia, oprah winfrey

Comments

(37)

Tuesday 14 September

By Marcie Valentine

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I too am APPALLED by this woman's actions. She built a school in Aftica which was wonderful. However, what has she done for the U.S.A. that MADE her a BILLIONAIRE but spend TAX PAYERS money to tra la la on vacation??? Shame on you Oprah. FYI, i stopped watching your program in 1989. Never did see what the big hoopla was all about

By Jaya

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You are a piece of work. Jealousy is such an ugly emotion. Do some research, why don't you. Oprah has given exposure to a whole host of products. She has traveled this country (Texas) to name one. She is a self-made woman. She should be admired. I for one am very proud of her. She empowers women. She has given so much to charities around the world.

Don't hate, appreciate.

By Jack

I think that this is money well spent. It will be "priceless" promotion for Australia. Hey Oprah if your reading this I want to go too. Just email me.

By janet

OMG, you people should donate your brain to science and hopefully they will find a way so you may never ever ever reproduce.SICKO'S

By Bobby

I'm not an Oprah fan but this seems like money well spent. There'll be tens of millions of viewers tuning in for this production which will amount to pennies per viewer spent for advertising. The taxpayers may get a little bent on the issue but the return should be well worth it...

By lola

always easier to spend someone elses money.

By enzo

What exactlly does Oprah o with all her money? just sayin

By Travelergtoo

Doesn't this contribute to global warming?

By Sonja

She is nothing but a con-artist just like her buddy Obummer, both have been very good at fooling the American people, but NO MORE. She is another traitor to America. Both Obummer & Oprah learned very well in WRIGHT'S so called church how to RIP OFF the Patriot American people, MAY THEY BOTH BURN IN HELL, THE SOONER THE BETTER.

By shirley

I thought that Oprah was really generous because she takes all kinds of trips and helps people out and donates so much money to different causes. Ha! She doesn't spend any of her money to do these things. She has a charitable business and most of her "fans" donate money to it. And like this article if the charity isn't paying for it, then the taxpayers are. She's not charitable, just knows how to appeal to everyone which gives her power. She's a hustler and does it well. She's got money up the wazoo and wants more. I lost respect for her quite a while ago.

By forkuu

holly what planet have you been on?? australias primeminister rudd was kicked out office months ago and a woman priminster was voted in get your facts straight

By Melissa

Wow...so much judgement on this page. I thought that was God's job. And please leave the hatred to the BEAST.

By bsti

"O" is for FATSO - She is SOFAT and to this I give a big FATSO what!

Wednesday 15 September

By OhNOUdd

I just really really really want to know, to those who are sticking up for BIG Oprah making so much money, while claiming to be sooooo charitable are the sames ones sticking up for someone say like, Sarah Palin?? Do you condemn only the ones you HATE, while claiming someone who feels BIG Oprah is only a phony, hates out of jealousy or racism?? Seriously, get off you soapbox and stop with your over-the-top political correct BullSh** Hate to tell you this, but peoples opinions will ALWAYS differ from yours and calling them ignorant or racist, etc will not convince them to side with you. It's called LIFE. Get over yourselves already!

By Carlea

nice gesture, but I'd rather have money to send my kids to college, pay off some debt or get some much needed dental work done. i have so many pressing issues, I can't think about going to Australia or anywhere else for that matter. why didn't she ask the audience what they needed or wanted? I'll bet none of them would have said "go to Australia". These are hard times on the other end of the camera lens, doesn't seem like she's aware of that.

By heather

why is it she supposedly "gives" all this stuff away but never pays for any of it? she has money out the wahoo yet the sponsors and now australia foot the bill for her so called "gifts" hope the people remember to thank who paid for them and its not her!

By Adelaide Alice

I think Oprah's trip to Australia is a fantastic marketing opportunity for the country.
Well done Aussie government (not often we say that) for taking an exciting risk & gaining all this brilliant press exposure!!!

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