Thursday March 19, 2009
Tourism Queensland has today excluded Russian candidate ‘Julia’ from the Best Job in the World selection process.
Julia was one of the short-listed Top 50 applicants for the Tourism Queensland job to ‘caretake’ the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef from June 1 to December 31.
CEO Anthony Hayes said Tourism Queensland had been investigating media allegations that Julia’s husband was facing criminal charges in Russia.
“Julia has told us she is not involved in this matter and our investigations have not found any evidence to the contrary,” Mr Hayes said.
“However today we have been made aware of an inappropriate video of Julia posted on a public website.
“As such, Tourism Queensland has decided to exclude Julia from the selection process under the terms and conditions of the job.”
Mr Hayes said 49 applicants now remained and Tourism Queensland would be announcing the Top 11 candidates on April 3, Australian time.
“Given we are in the final stages of the selection process for the Top 10 and the wild card applicant we will not be replacing Julia with another candidate,” Mr Hayes said.
ENDS
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