“She displayed courtesy when she went on the show,she explained her position,I don’t think she received the same courtesy back to herself.”

Mr Shorten’s comments on the Opera House sit uneasily with those of Labor frontbencher Anthony Albanese last Friday,when Mr Albanese - the shadow federal minister for tourism - said"people should chill out a bit"over the building being used to help raise the profile of the race.

"The fact is that that race is beamed around the world … This is using essentially those magnificent sails as a billboard to advertise Sydney,and that’s what happens on days like Chinese New Year"Mr Albanese told ABC radio on Friday.

However on Monday Mr Albanese told Fairfax Media that “the Opera House should not be reduced to just being a billboard,its an important cultural institution and a great asset to Sydney and to the nation.”

He said there was"no difference"between himself and Mr Shorten on the issue."I spoke to him about this and we're in complete agreement.... Lousie Herron and the Opera House board supported a minimal projection[onto the sails],I support their position."

He said Alan Jones'behaviour towards Ms Herron had been"offensive and inexcusable... it showed a lack of common courtesy to Louise Herron who had given him the courtesy of going on his program."

Mr Albanese said the key difference between the state government's position and that of Ms Herron was whether the race trophy should be shown or not."Now[NSW Opposition Leader] Luke Foley has called for a review of the purposes,I support that."

On Monday,Mr Foley said now would be a good time to review the"limits to what can be beamed on the sails".

"It’s been used for Lunar New Year,the Ashes cricket and the Wallabies,among others,so once this has died down a clear headed review should be undertaken,"he said.

"If the Premier won’t do it then I will.”