Mardi Gras policing in spotlight with new guide for revellers

A NEW guide has been released to help revellers understand their rights during the Mardi Gras season.

Fair Play was produced by the Inner City Legal Centre, ACON and Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras to inform people about their legal rights when attending or participating in Mardi Gras events and appropriate police behaviour.

“(This) seeks to keep party-goers informed and safe over the Mardi Gras period,” ACON chief executive Nicolas Parkhill said.

“We are committed to supporting people in our communities to know their rights and to have the support, if needed, to hold police to account.”

Meanwhile, police behaviour was raised in state parliament when Sydney state independent MP Alex Greenwich said he had received complaints soon after last year’s Mardi Gras parade.

Premier Barry O’Farrell responded: “Police are working with (Mardi Gras) to develop appropriate briefing material for officers deployed to festival events and the (Mardi Gras CEO) will address police during the final pre-festival deployment briefing.”

INFO: The Fair Play guide can be accessed online here.