Looks like a tradition has ended? Beancounters at work...
From the Courier Mail:
Insurance row grounds flyover
Chris Griffith, City Hall reporter
30aug05
THE F-111 flyover at Saturday's Brisbane Riverfire has been cancelled because of a dispute between Defence Insurance and Major Brisbane Festivals over public liability insurance cover.
And F-111 flyovers at other public events including the Gold Coast Indy are also in jeopardy because of the same issue, sources said last night.
The same row is believed to have caused the cancellation of the F-111 flyover at this month's Ekka.
It is also understood Major Brisbane Festivals is likely to find it difficult to fund future public liability premiums for flyovers with costs set to soar from about $20,000-30,000 this year to $80,000 for the event next year.
The cancellation of the Department of Defence's contribution to Riverfire is a major body blow to the event as it includes the F-111 flyover, the RAAF Roulettes High-Level Routine, and the Australian Army Red Beret Sky Diving Team which performed recently at VP Day celebrations.
The Riverfire is due to take place on September 3 and is the leading signature event for Riverfestival.
Riverfire, an annual institution, had been popular because of its massive fireworks display coupled with the F-111 flyover of the central business district.
Riverfire earlier this month lost its major sponsor Suncorp.
Suncorp opted instead to fund a major skin cancer awareness campaign because of the widespread incidence of the disease in Queensland.
It is understood the Defence Insurance dispute relates to two clauses, one of which would see Major Brisbane Festivals held responsible for any damage to Commonwealth public property including RAAF aircraft during the flyover.
The other clause relates to whether Defence Insurance would take responsibility for loss or damage caused by disease or illness including mental illness in the wake of a flyover tragedy.
Major Brisbane Festivals chief executive officer Michael Snelling did not return calls last night.
RNA president Vivian Edwards confirmed that F-111 flyovers had occurred at previous Ekka's but not this year.
"We were hoping to have it but the final decision was they (Department of Defence) couldn't put it on for us, I don't know why," Dr Edwards said.
A Department of Defence spokeswoman said she was unable to clarify whether F-111's would be available for this year's Indy.
A Defence spokeswoman last night confirmed the department had withdrawn aviation support to Riverfire 2005.
"This decision was made in accordance with Defence's standing policy to withdraw support when event organisers .. have not met Defence's insurance and indemnity requirements", she said.
"This decision has been communicated to the event organiser. While clearly disappointed with the outcome, Defence still enjoys a positive relationship with the organisers."
She said the event organiser had been unable to obtain appropriate public liability insurance.
"Defence understands that the event organisers provided the insurer with the full set of conditions for insurance of the Aviation component of Riverfire in March this year.
"It is further understood that the insurer gave a quote at that time to provide insurance based on the documentation provided which included the conditions required by the Department of Defence."
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