The NSW government has defended its decision to spend $86 million on World Youth Day, saying it would bring international attention to Sydney at a fraction of the cost of the Olympics. The NSW government's spokeswoman for World Youth Day, Kristina Keneally, said the government would spend $86 million to support the event, compared to the $390 million it provided for the Olympics.
The Greens have previously raised concerns about the cost of the event, calling for the Catholic Church to foot the majority of the bill.
However, Ms Keneally said World Youth Day would put Sydney in the international spotlight at a reduced cost to taxpayers.
"The (NSW) government expenditure for World Youth Day is less than a quarter of that spent on the Olympics for an event that we are expecting to bring in more people," she said in a statement.
Organisers are expecting 125,000 international visitors for World Youth Day, she said.
The six-day Catholic festival commences on July 15 and culminates with a visit by Pope Benedict XVI.
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