Also making a surprise appearance was Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Albo, as he is affectionately known, marched in the parade with the Rainbow Labor float with Sydney MP and Environmental Minister Tanya Plibersek.
He was also the first sitting Prime Minister to march in the parade in 2023, saying that rights for Australia’s LGBTQI+ community had “come a long way”, but there was “still further to go”.
He said of Mardi Gras, “I’ve been doing this for many decades now, just about every year since about 1984, so for 40 years,” joking about showing his age.
“But it’s fun. It’s a celebration, and it shows a commitment to respect people for who they are.”
