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MODELLING insiders are organising a takeover of the Miss Universe Australia competition, campaigning for an end to dodgy venues and a wider approach to choosing contestants.
Critics said that unlike in the US - where even the smallest town would hold its own pageant to find a winner - only two proper heats were held in Australia.

One Sydney father told how he spent $15,000 on singing lessons, coaches, personal training and grooming in the lead-up to his daughter's entry to the competition, only for her to get a couple of minutes with the national organiser Deborah Miller at Cronulla's Sting Bar in March.

"When we went along to do the pageant thing it was in a divey bar full of other people and men getting drunk and that kind of thing, it was quite disgusting," Anthony Pask, of Bonnet Bay, said.

His daughter Amber (right), then aged 24, did not get the opportunity to wear the $4500 gown she had tailored and the swimsuit section was cancelled to prevent the girls from being ogled.

Ms Miller said the girl was envious of the success of Miss Universe Australia Rachael Finch.

"They all believe they should be in the top 10," she said. Ms Miller was adamant she would continue to run the competition and was already advertising for new contestants.

She refused to discuss the details of her contract with the Miss Universe organisation in the US and stated only "it is ongoing".

Townsville heat organiser Henry Petersen said he believed the pageant was not being run "to its full potential" but had kept silent until now to give Finch her best shot at the crown.