Prime Minister Scott Morrison responded to the backlash against using the Opera House to promote The Everest horse race.

Racing NSW has been in negotiations for 12 months to hold the barrier draw on either the Sydney Harbour Bridge or the Opera House.

On Friday Opera House CEO Louise Herron spoke with Alan Jones and Peter V’Landys live on air, repeatedly refusing to allow to promotion in an explosive interview.

This is despite allowing the Ashes, the Wallabies, Mardi Gras and even Samsung to use the iconic building as a billboard.

Prime Minister Morrison can’t understand why The Everest, which injects more than $100 million into the NSW economy, should be treated any differently.

“It’s not as though they’re painting it on there. It’s some lights flashing up there for a brief moment in time and that goes all around the world.

“And they do it for other things, the Wallabies indeed and others.

“I just don’t understand why we tie ourselves up in knots about these things.”

Alan points out the Opera House was paid for, in part, by a form of gambling – a national lottery.

“It’s ironic and that’s true and it’s maintained by the patronage of Australians and taxpayers,” says the Prime Minister.

Click PLAY below for the full interview