Push to make Mardi Gras Parade night exempt from NSW lockout laws
THE NSW government is under pressure to lift the lockout laws for next year’s Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade following this week’s decision to make New Year’s Eve exempt from the laws.
The recent exemption applied to New Year’s Eve (NYE) follows after Sydney state independent MP Alex Greenwich requested the lockout laws to be lifted for next year’s Mardi Gras Parade night.
The exemption for NYE will allow party-goers to enter licensed premises after 1.30am but the discontinuation of alcohol being served after 3am will remain in place.
Greenwich has since reinforced his request for the NYE exemption to also be considered for Mardi Gras 2015.
“I have called on the government to apply the same common sense approach to next year’s Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras,” he said.
The Mardi Gras festival attracts thousands every year, including international tourists. There are concerns the lockout could create a safety hazard as crowds hastily travel to post-parade parties and events in licensed venues before 1.30am.
There is also speculation the lockout laws could play an effect on the economy and image of Sydney’s Mardi Gras.
“Sydney is Australia’s global city, and we need to ensure our night time economy is a safe and vibrant one,” Greenwich said.
Earlier this year, Greenwich had requested the lockout law to be lifted for Mardi Gras, but this did not succeed.
The Mardi Gras’ official post-parade Party is held at Moore Park, which does not fall under the geographical boundaries for the lockout laws, but all of Sydney’s gay bars and clubs in the Oxford St precinct do.
[Editor’s note: Almost two hours after this story was published, it was reported that the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing released a statement say they would not consider making Mardi Gras exempt from the lockout laws. More here.]
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If they can modify it for NYE surly they can for Mardi Gras !!!! better yet lets just get rid of it entirely
I don’t like asking for special exceptions…frankly I think the whole lock-out should be abolished
Agree completely….i partied for 3 days straight in Berlin!
They are not going to exempt MARDI Gra ! Oh please
Yassssss!
Yes
Soon they will ban the Mardi gras as it upsets Muslims
Just like the Australian flag at bondi
If the goldcoast can make exemptions during large events then I am sure sydney can make those same exemptions for mardi gras, nye etc
hells, yes!
Why should we feel that we are allowed to ask for special treatment …. Isn’t that kind of contradicting
Just get rid of the fucking lock out or together.
All together**
Hahahaha!! I’m always the one correcting peoples stupidity – well played.
Chris Tofer Gatfield what are the realistic chances here
Next cab off the rank
Ofcourse they should.
Hell to the yes
We are no longer a ‘global city’ thanks to BARRY O’Farrels greed and pathetic corruption which cost the jobs and businesses of many many people!! A few million from the star at a cost of 10’s of millions to the economy… Well done BARRY, well done!!
Even more revenue lost!!
I say take all the money to melbourne!! That will screw the nsw govt!!
That would discriminate against straight people.
They let the Chinese have there new year celebrations without the lockout is that discriminating against other races?
Hahahaha
Technically: yes. Although CNY is a family event for us, and all my in laws have a mad case of Asian glow, so no clubbing.
And maybe no lockout is not a great idea because then you have to deal with all the me tooers for St Patties day, Mardi Gras, ANZAC day, Australia Day, Kwaanza, Festivus…
But is the request ‘no lock out’ or ‘later lockout’. Coz even Sydney NYE gets a 3am lockout. And let’s be thankful it isn’t London where its standard 11pm close for pubs and 2 for clubs!
That’s funny cause they wouldn’t care if it discriminated straight people.. Let’s be honest
They are granting NYE Mardi Gras should permitted
This is so true haha let us all have no lockouts
You do not understand discrimination laws. The lifting of lock-out applies to all people enjoying Mardi Gras, regardless of sexuality.
And you capt, do not understand sarcasm
Pamela, I’d like to think Nathan was being ironic, but he has a pic of himself with Tory Abbott…
everyone knows the gays don’t do new years eve but party on new years day :) also mardi gras is the biggest revenue event to the state after NY’s and muh more than any other event
its not hte gay community that caused the violence anyways let the straights be punished
Michael Stephan, you’re a twat…”It’s not the gay community that caused the violence”, so homosexuality makes you a pacifist automatically? People like you work against the cause of acceptance – “We’re just like everybody else…except for people doing bad things, cuz we’re perfect…” Shut up you elitist prick.
And why exactly should the parade be banned Stephen Thomas wake up to yourself idiot
Yes!!!
I don’t think The Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras should be exempt, everyone wants to be treated equally and if the G&L Mardi Gras is exempted then everyone else will want to be exempt.
Well their making new years eve in sydney exempt from the lock out laws why not mardi gras
time to move mardi gras out of the state
Seriously like you guys should even have to ask apart from the non alcohol traders you alone keep this place more than well known in one weekend and i wouldnt even know any other polititions name but clover moore! More bike paths ripper forget wifi everyone has… Bikes um maybe two hundred whatever!!! TELL THE FUCKERS YA GOING TO MELBOURNE!!!!
Andrew Newport
Sorry not sure about this . We all want to be treated equally, right? So just because it’s Gay and a fab night and brings in huge revenue for the state, should that night be exempt. The law is the law. Either change the law or deal with it. Exemption would set a president ….it would then be open slather for any group to apply for exemption . Just saying.
Well their making new years eve in sydney exempt from the lock out laws why not mardi gras
dude the whole issue is that they’ll do it for NYE but not MG
Well,dude!, didn’t know that,hence the precedent point! Now knowing that……if that’s what people want…fight for it( and I don’t mean that literally!!) Personally I will be enjoying myself at one venue only.
Another perspective is NYE is for everyone! Mardi Gras is for our community where ( because it has got so commercial) everyone is invited. Next it’ll be exemption because it’s a footy finals night etc…… Either ban the law altogether or leave it as is. I know, because I live in the Cross , that the violence has actually eased up a bit since the lockout laws were introduced, but still a long way to go. Just wish ice was not around because that drug is now the root of our major society problems ……thats another issue…..
um its not he gays who are causing violence and king hits
Yeah Michael Stephan more often than not it is….but the debate is really on the lock out exemptions……
Did not need a kurfew when i was 15 , Don’t need one now.
On the International Stage, Sydney is becoming a laughing stock.
Yes! It’s ridiculous. There’s so much money injected into the economy every year because of Mardi Gras. You’d think on the night itself they’d make an exception.
should ban the whole parade
Why?? Come on give us some reasons…Because atm you just look like an ignorant twat,
guys dancing in g strings and groping each other on the street is not right
You just proved how ignorant you really are. Have you ever been to Mardi Gras? Maybe you should go, educate yourself and realise how ridiculous what you’ve said is.
i have seen it
So have I. And as a straight man I think it’s one of the greatest parties/celebrations around. The only people that are worried about it are homophobic bigots. Are you not comfortable with your own sexuality?
And ok I guess I was a bit tough on you. I’m a strong believer that everyone has the right to an opinion. You also have the right to make yourself scarce whilst it’s on. No one is forcing you to take part but that doesn’t give you the right to ruin it for others :-)
Scott don’t waste your time. Either you are rising to Stephen ‘ s bait , or he is playing devil’s advocate, or he believes what he is saying and really is the twat as you originally suggested!
Not only Mardi gras – we are not children – we are tax payers
YES – Everyone spends enough and perks up NSW for it every year.
i find the lock out laws unnecessary they aren’t combating the main reason why the violence is happening
here here!!!
Aron we had now 9 years in Townsville total waste of time and money. what has done is mad less people now come out to the clubs