The Night Kicks Off with a Bang, But Not Everyone’s Impressed
The Sydney New Year’s Eve fireworks display has only just begun, and already, social media is buzzing with controversy.
The 9pm family fireworks show, which featured a stunning display of lights and projections of Indigenous fisherwoman Barangaroo across the Harbour Bridge, has sparked a heated debate online.
Some Call it “Divisive Crap”
While many people are loving the show, others are slamming the ABC’s coverage, calling it “divisive crap” and a “disappointment.”
One user wrote, “Could we just have the fireworks without the lecture?” Another user, Libby Shaw, accused the City of Sydney and NSW government of turning the fireworks into a “political event,” saying it’s “New Year’s Eve, not a Labor Party meeting.”
Indigenous Display Sparks Backlash
The Welcome to Country segment and the Indigenous artists opening the fireworks show seem to be the main points of contention. One user wrote that the fireworks had been “hijacked” by “the divisive activism of Aboriginals under the banner of a Welcome to Country.” Ouch!
But Most are Loving the Show
However, the majority of posts on social media are praising the ABC’s coverage and the fireworks show. Many are excited to see singer-songwriter Robbie Williams take to the stage later in the evening, ahead of the midnight fireworks display.
Technical Issues and Transport Woes
The celebrations haven’t been without their share of problems, though. A strike earlier in the night caused transport delays, and some popular vantage spots across the city were closed to new arrivals after they filled up early in the afternoon. Transport NSW has released a statement reassuring customers that they’re aware of the strike and are working to minimize delays.