Dave Sharma (Wentworth, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I want to wish everyone well who will be participating in the 2020 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras this Saturday night. Millions will be watching on TV and literally thousands will be lining the streets. Mardi Gras is an important celebration of gay and lesbian culture, and a symbol of the vibrancy which adds so much to Sydney's diversity. Since the first parade, in 1978, Mardi Gras has grown to the world leading festival that it is today, bringing thousands of tourists and spectators from across Australia and across the world to Sydney and its eastern suburbs. The march makes its way up Oxford Street from Hyde Park, through Taylor Square and onto Flinders Street, and finishes in Moore Park. It's an enormous celebration that has become a key part of the Sydney calendar. I congratulate those who work so hard to make sure Mardi Gras is a success each year—in particular, Albert Kruger, the chief executive officer; Kate Wickett, the co-chair of the board; and the rest of the organisers. I also want to congratulate all those who worked so hard on the successful bid for Sydney to host World Pride in 2023. I'll be marching proudly in the parade on Saturday night, as the local MP, for the second part of the march. Happy Mardi Gras!

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