Labor Senator Penny Wong is set to join the Mardi Gras parade for the first time.
”I’ve been thinking about it for a while. I’ve probably got a bit more space now, haven’t I?” Senator Wong told The Age newspaper, highlighting that life in opposition has given her more free time.
”It felt right to do it this year. And I’m really proud to be able to.”
Senator Wong will join the Rainbow Labor float alongside fellow politicians Anthony Albanese and Tanya Plibersek.
Senator Wong has said that she first attended Mardi Gras as a spectator more than 20 years ago.
Writing in The Guardian today the Senator said the march was an affirmation for those with confidence and those coming to terms with their sexuality and a time to highlight the importance of marriage equality to the wider community.
Tonight’s parade is set to be one of the biggest ever with 145 floats and 10,000 people marching. The parade will include gay Daleks to exterminate homophobia, singer Delta Goodrem, a hundred Pam Ann lookalikes and the real Pam Ann too, singer Katie Underwood and a float ‘Strictly Mardi Gras’ directed by Baz Luhrmann. There will also be five float’s highlighting the gay rights struggle in Russia.
The parade’s Creative Director Ignatius Jones told media yesterday that the parade will feature the largest walking puppet Australia has ever seen which will depict Russian President Vladamir Putin as the evil ogre of all Russian fairy tales. Jones told reporters, “Australians may not get that, but don’t worry they certainly will get it in Russia!”
OIP Staff
