How Anthony Albanese partied with ABC after the Mardi Gras march while Scott Morrison’s senior paramedic brother danced in the parade to support diversity in the ranks
- Anthony Albanese pictured speaking with ABC’s Fran Kelly
- Scott Morrison’s brother was seen at the parade
Anthony Albanese was photographed having drinks with a prominent ABC TV personality and leading Labor figures after becoming the first sitting Prime Minister to walk in Sydney’s Mardi Gras parade.
Albanese led the Rainbow Labor float on Saturday night, marching alongside her partner Jodi Haydon, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek and state Labor leader Chris Minns.
Hours later, the prime minister could be seen hobnobbing with the bigwigs at the national broadcaster’s post-parade celebration, with a photo showing Mr Albanese holding a beer as he chatted with the veteran ABC broadcaster. , Frank Kelly.
While Mr Albanese’s predecessor, Scott Morrison, never attended the parade, his lead paramedic brother, Alan, joined his colleagues in marching down the street to support diversity and inclusion in the ranks of Ambulance NSW.
Anthony Albanese is pictured in a gray button-down shirt, standing next to ABC’s Fran Kelly.
A NSW Ambulance spokeswoman said the presence of Mr Morrison, the service’s director of education, was an example of how it supports a diverse workforce.
“NSW Ambulance is proud to encourage and support a diverse and inclusive workforce,” he said.
“As part of that, senior leaders participate in the Mardi Gras parade each year to ensure that all staff feel accepted and valued at NSW Ambulance, regardless of their gender identity or sexuality.
“We also serve a very diverse community, and ensuring everyone feels safe to call us when they need help is paramount.”
Morrison’s Pentecostal brother, Scott, voted against gay marriage during the 2017 postal plebiscite.
Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison is pictured, left, with his older brother, Alan Morrison.
Alan Morrison (pictured at Mardi Gras on Saturday, bottom right) works with NSW Ambulance and took part in the parade to show his support for diversity and inclusion.
Meanwhile, Albanese said Saturday that he has marched in the parade for decades, first having he participated in 1983, five years after the start of Mardi Gras as a protest for gay rights.
“It is unfortunate that I am the first (prime minister to march), but this is a celebration of modern Australia. We are a diverse and inclusive Australia and that is a good thing,” he told ABC.
“People want to see their government be inclusive and represent everyone, no matter who they love, no matter who they are, no matter where they live. We need to be a country that respects everyone for who they are.’
Albanese said partygoers should pay tribute to the 78ers, the first Mardi Gras protesters, “who were jailed for the simple fact of who they were because they turned out to be gay or lesbian.”
“We have to keep standing up for equality.”
Anthony Albanese (pictured with partner Jodie Haydon) became the first Australian Prime Minister to attend the Sydney Mardi Gras Parade in conjunction with WorldPride 2023.
