Complaints have flooded in to Tourism Australia after no Australians were selected as finalists of its Best Jobs in the World competition.
Despite over 40,000 entries from Australian residents, not one has been selected as a finalist for the six top jobs.
Instead, five are from the US, four from the UK and Ireland, two are from France and one each from Afghanistan, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.
Hundreds of comments have been posted on Tourism Australia’s Facebook page, including:
“NO Aussies! Why not… Please explain"
“Looks like us Australians don’t get a chance at promotion jobs in Australia. How un-Australian"
“No Aussies that’s gotta be rigged … seriously who better to promote, sell and show enthusiasm about Australia than an Aussie".
In its defence, Tourism Australia said choosing the 18 finalists has “certainly proved to be one of the hardest jobs in the world".
“We’re completely blown away by the standard of the candidates, their passion and creativity in applying for these six dream jobs.
“More than 40,000 Australians applied (sixth highest ranking country), submitting 1,700 videos, and 17 made the Top 150 (third highest ranking country).
“In the end, we didn’t get any Australians quite making the final 18, but they did their country proud. Several were very close and, on this occasion, they came up a fraction short unfortunately. We do really appreciate all the effort our candidates had put in this competition."
The six successful candidates will get an AUD$100,000 package, which includes six months’ salary for jobs described as a park ranger, a lifestyle photographer, a taste master, a chief funster, a wildlife caretaker and an outback adventurer.
Winners will be announced on June 21.
by Bev Fearis
