Australia offers 'best job in world' on paradise island

SYDNEY (AFP) - An Australian state offer the world what it calls "the best job in the world" - and a salary for lazing around a beautiful tropical island for six months.

The work paid 150,000 Australian dollars (105,000 dollars) and includes free air tickets to the winner of the country of origin to Hamilton Island on the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland state government announced Tuesday.

In return, the "guardian island" will be asked to walk the white sand, diving on the reef, to take care of "some small tasks" - and to report to a global audience a week blogs, photo and video updates newspapers. The candidate, who will stay rent-free in a three-bedroom home from the beach with pool and golf buggy, must be a good swimmer, excellent communicator and be able to speak and write English.

"They also speak to the media from time to time on what they do they can not be too shy and they love the sea, the sun, the outdoors," said Prime Minister Paul Lucas repairs. "The fact that they will be paid to explore the islands of the Great Barrier Reef, swimming, snorkeling and live in Queensland makes this way of life, without a doubt the best job in the world." Lucas said that the campaign was part of a campaign to protect the state from 18 billion Australian dollars a year, the tourism industry during the difficult economic situation caused by the global financial crisis.

"Tourism traditional advertising does not cut it and sometimes you think outside the box by the launch of this campaign." Queensland Tourism Minister Desley Boyle said some people might wonder if it was risky to let an unknown person became a spokesman unofficial tourism for the state. "I think the biggest risk is that the candidate did not want to go home at the end of the period of six months," she said. "This is a legitimate job, which is open to anyone and everyone." Applications are open until 22 February. Eleven candidates will be made to Hamilton Island in early May for the final selection process and the six months starting July 1.

Job-seekers can apply on Islandreefjob.com