Briton 'still best man for best job'

Briton Ben Southall has been defended by Tourism Queensland after it gave him the "best job in the world".

The 34-year-old won the AU$150,000 (£74,000) role of exploring the islands of the Great Barrier Reef and reporting back via blogs, video diaries and interviews.

Southall was described as a moaner by The Sun after he said that he would miss the longer days of the British summer.

However, the tourist board told ABC that the new employee was only responding to a direct question when he made the comment.

A spokeswoman said: "Ben was asked by a British journalist what he would miss... only to find himself tagged by the British tabloid media as a 'whinger'.

"Tourism Queensland has every confidence that Ben is the best person for the best job - he's adventurous, outgoing and a genuine person who is able to communicate well."