No Cash for UFOlogist:
TOURISM NT has rejected a UFO hunter’s request for money to hold a conference in Darwin.
UFOlogist Alan Ferguson said the conference would lure enthusiasts to the NT. But Tourism NT has rejected his request for funding.
Tourism NT is responsible for the attraction and marketing of the NT to conference organisers.
Should we spend taxpayer dollars on a UFO conference?
The body issued a statement to the NT News saying they provide assistance to conference organisers, but do not offer funding unless it is a tourism event.
“Tourism NT does not provide funding of any kind to general conferences,” the statement said.
But Mr Ferguson said the event would attract tourists.
“The exposure a UFO conference will bring is more than anything else they can put together,” he said. “It’s the most up-and-coming phenomenon in the world.”
Proposed guests include founder of the Australian Close Encounter Resource Network Mary Rodwell, Apollo 14 pilot Dr Edgar Mitchell and former head of the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence UFO Project, Nick Pope.
NT Tourism Minister Malarndirri McCarthy’s spokeswoman Ursula Raymond said the government was still keen to explore this new area of tourism.
“This is the first conference of its type … and Tourism NT will continue talks with conference organisers to discuss appropriate government support,” she said.
NT News
YOUR SAY
“A ufo conference using tax dollars would be much better spent than using tax dollars to feed rapists and murders in jail like they do here in the states. Apalling to say the least”
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