AFP says it won’t march in Mardi Gras parade; NSW Police boss Karen Webb continues compromise discussions with organisers
Australian Federal Police will not take part in Saturday’s event after organisers disinvited NSW Police following the alleged murders of Luke Davies and Jesse Baird by a serving constable.
The Australian Federal Police has made the decision not to march in Saturday’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras after event organisers disinvited NSW Police following the alleged murders of Luke Davies and Jesse Baird by a serving constable Beau Lamarre-Condon.
Despite ongoing talks between NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb and the Mardi Gras board, an AFP spokesperson told the ABC they had planned to march with NSW Police, but had since decided against it.
On Monday night, the Mardi Gras board requested that NSW Police not march, due to the distress it could cause in the LGBTQI+ community over the deaths of Davies and Baird.
“Noting news reports that the Sydney Mardi Gras board had asked NSW Police not to march, the AFP has also made the decision not to march,” an AFP spokesperson said.
“While the AFP feels a deep connection and service to LGBTQI+ community, we understand their hurt because of a number of recent events.
“We must always remember that this is an event for, and about LGBTQI+ communities, and those people who love and support them.”
The spokesperson said the organisation had been attending the event for 20 years and hoped to march again next year. “Most importantly, we hope all participants have a great time on Saturday and enjoy what is truly an amazing and inspiring event,” they said.
Commissioner Webb says LGBTQ officers had been “robbed” of their ability to march in this Saturday’s Mardi Gras parade in Sydney, revealing “fruitful discussions” continued with the organisation’s board to broker a deal.
“ (It’s) just the start of conversations,” she said on Tuesday.
The move comes as federal police decided to not march in the parade, after having planned to do so with NSW Police.
“This decision was not taken lightly, but we acknowledge how some in the community are feeling about the blue uniform,” a federal police spokesman said.
He said the AFP had marched for 20 years – and that they “hope to march again next year” – but that it recognised the event was about LGBTQ communities “and their hurt because of a number of recent events”.
On Monday, Ms Webb said the force had been “uninvited” from marching. The Sydney Mardi Gras board said that the devastation of the alleged murders of gay couple Jesse Baird and Luke Davies – allegedly at the hands of police officer Beau Lamarre-Condon – had forced the move, saying the community needed “space to grieve”.
Ms Webb and NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley held “positive and respectful” talks with the seven-person Mardi Gras board on Tuesday. The commissioner said a compromise of police participating but not in uniform was possible, although there was no deal struck on Tuesday afternoon.
“It’s something we’ll consider … (we) haven’t ruled it out,” she said. “I can make those decisions, and we’ll talk to corporate sponsors and officers to see how they feel.”
Sydney MP Tanya Plibersek said Mr Davies’ and Mr Baird’s deaths were “devastating”, especially for the LGBTQ community. “But I know that LGBTQ police officers are also hurting from this heinous crime,” she said.
“We are stronger together. Mardi Gras should be a place where all LGBTQ people can celebrate, including our police officers, as they have done for decades.”
The ban drew criticism from the Police Association of NSW, whose president, Kevin Morton, said disappointed was an “understatement” and that “every single” police officer was “appalled” by Mr Lamarre-Condon’s alleged double homicide.
“The alleged actions of one individual could potentially impact what has been 20 years of relationship progression,” he said.
“Thousands of police officers work, day in and day out, to keep all communities safe from the scourge of domestic violence.”
Sydney NSW MP Alex Greenwich said he “hoped” a resolution could be reached but he was more focused on lasting collaboration.
“I’m more concerned and focused about the work we do beyond the parade to ensure LGBTQ community safety,” he said. “And that is something where our community has to work with the police on. There is more work to be done, but we have to do that together.”
The Australian understands the Mardi Gras board had been split before a majority voted to cancel the police float.
Board member Luke Velez, who was voted on to the board in December, aligned with the Pride in Protest group, which has been vocal in its opposition to police. It is understood Mr Velez was key in getting the vote over the line
The group has previously called for the police to be disarmed and defunded, and its float at this year’s parade is coloured in the Palestinian flag.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said he “hoped” for a breakthrough, and Liberal leader Mark Speakman said his party supported the police’s participation.
Additional reporting: James Dowling
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