Anthony Albanese has drawn criticism for wearing jeans and a t-shirt to Sydney’s Mardi Gras parade as he becomes the first prime minister to march.
Mr Albanese led the Rainbow Labor float in Saturday’s iconic parade as the event returned to Oxford Street after a two-year absence during the pandemic.
The Labor leader was joined by Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek and NSW Opposition Leader Chris Minns as he made his way through the inner city.
However, the Prime Minister stood out like a sore thumb amongst the other colorful and bejeweled attendees as he opted for a casual shirt and jeans.
The Prime Minister stood out as a sore thumb among festival goers as he opted for a casual shirt and jeans combo (he is pictured being interviewed at the parade)
Anthony Albanese (pictured with his partner Jodie Haydon) became the first Australian Prime Minister to attend Sydney’s Mardi Gras parade in partnership with WorldPride 2023
Sydney Morning Herald reporter Amber Schultz shared video of the leader arriving at the parade, but mocked his low-key ensemble.
“Albo arrived at Mardi Gras with a disappointing lack of glitter, sequins or fabulousness,” she tweeted Saturday night.
“Cool to have the first PM march, but what a missed opportunity to slay some eyeshadow.”
Although Mr. Albanese ignored the opportunity for a bit of glitz and glamour, his partner Jodie Haydon happily gave in, dressed in a snazzy silver blazer.
Before the parade, the Prime Minister warned Australians not to expect too much from him.
“I won’t try to compete in the fashion business,” Mr. Albanese said.
“Pride is something we can be proud of, that Australia is moving towards a more and more equal community where everyone is respected, no matter who they love.”
Although Mr. Albanese ignored the opportunity for a bit of glitz and glamour, his partner Jodie Haydon gladly gave in, dressed in a snazzy silver sequined blazer
Before the parade, the Prime Minister warned Australians not to expect too much from him
It is not the first time he has taken part in the parade, with Mr Albanese taking part in 1983, five years after Mardi Gras began as a protest for gay rights.
Mr Albanese said partygoers should pay tribute to the 78ers, the first Mardi Gras marchers
Hairy breasts and oiled stomachs were on full display as revelers celebrated the night away
It is not the first time he has taken part in the parade, as Mr Albanese took part in 1983, five years after the start of Mardi Gras as a gay rights protest.
“It’s a shame I’m first (Prime Minister marching) but this is a celebration of modern Australia. We’re diverse, including Australia and that’s a good thing,” he told the ABC as he waved to the crowd.
“People want to see their government be inclusive and represent everyone, no matter who they love, no matter their identity, no matter where they live. We must 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 thrown in jail for the simple fact that they happened to be gay or lesbian.”
“We must continue to advocate for equality.”
Lidia Thorpe confronted police officers marching Saturday night on Mardi Gras as thousands of sparse revelers partied late into the night
Photos show Victoria’s senator leaping onto the parade route and standing in front of an officer
Elsewhere, Lidia Thorpe confronted police officers marching Saturday night on Mardi Gras as thousands of sparse revelers celebrated late into the night.
Photos show the former Greens senator hopping onto the parade route and confronting a police officer before reportedly yelling “f*** the police.”
Senator Thorpe suddenly the police portion of the parade crashed and repeatedly yelled her slogan in their faces, witnesses at the scene have claimed.
A reveler told Daily Mail Australia: ‘She came out of nowhere, it took us a few seconds to realize what was going on.
“I don’t know how she got into the parade, but she ran after the police as they marched and yelled “f**k the police” at them and in the direction of the crowd.
One group appeared to dress up as the Sydney Opera House in blue and white, complete with sails
Participants in the 45th annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade on Oxford Stret chose blue and purple colors
“She really got in their face when she overtook them, inches away. Not what we expected tonight.
“Pride is supposed to be about unity, but she was the only one who made it about something else. Shocking, really.
Thousands of scantily clad revelers clad in lingerie, budgie smugglers and leotards partied late into the night as the partying continued in bars and clubs.
Colorful revelers wrapped in rainbows and shimmering sequins made a pilgrimage to the spiritual home of the queer community as the party returns to Oxford Street after a two-year absence during the pandemic.
Sydney’s Oxford Street is awash in glitter as 300,000 revelers celebrated the crown jewel of Australia’s first WorldPride programme.
The event follows a blockbuster WorldPride opening concert at the Domain on Friday night, when Kylie Minogue headlined in a performance that featured a surprise cameo from her sister Dannii.