I would very much like to have more details about what was asked for, and what was refused and by whom. I do know that when I was asked in Program Ops for a room for an evening program ("Pirate People"), I provided one. While the Masquerade and Hugo ceremony are generally not programmed against any more than the GoH speeches are, other nights are generally more flexible.

And there is always the background threat of your worldcon being taken away from you and run by folks from overseas.

Frankly, I heard this from a few other people and I am pretty steamed about it. In several major areas, Australians initially volunteered to run areas and then decided it was too much work and bailed out. I think that the Australians who make this complaint should realise that they owe a debt of gratitude to the people from overseas who took over areas due to Australians reneging (in one case, literally the day before the convention) rather than complaining about not enough Australians running things. It especially annoys me when (present company excepted) Australians who never put their own hand up to volunteer to help feel free to complain about the lack of Australians running things.