Tourism Australia pauses 'Matesong' ad campaign featuring Kylie Minogue as UK viewers watch scenes of bushfire carnage

$15 million can buy you a star-studded advertising campaign, but as Tourism Australia has learned, it can't give you control over the timing of bushfires. Key points: The 'Matesong' campaign rolled out on Christmas Day, encouraging would-be UK tourists to visit their 'mates' down under But the idyllic lifestyle depicted in the ad was at odds with scenes of bushfire devastation Tourism Australia has confirmed parts of the campaign will be paused while the bushfire situation continues The advertising body has "paused" parts of its 'Matesong' campaign amid the devastation of Australia's bushfire crisis, scenes of which have been broadcast to horrified onlookers around the world. But concerns emerged almost immediately that the easy-going lifestyle depicted in the Timing of ad 'unfortunate' Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham initially defended the "It's unfortunate to the extent that it comes at the same time that you see international news services covering stories of fires," he said. "In light of the current situation in Australia, we have reduced some of our campaign activity in the UK," the spokesperson said. The spokesperson said many potential tourists who were exposed to the "The campaign has been a long time in the planning and is a long-term play to attract UK visitors to Australia in the coming years," the spokesperson said.