The Premier of New South Wales (NSW) has signed an accord with the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival to ensure better outcomes from policing during the festival after there were complaints of over-policing and police brutality at last year’s festival.

‘Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras welcomes NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell’s announcement today of the signing of a new Mardi Gras Festival Accord, between Mardi Gras and NSW Police, aimed at ensuring a safe and welcoming experience for all participants and spectators at Mardi Gras events,’ organizers said in a statement.

Under the accord festival organizers and NSW Police will jointly plan to ensure a consistent approach to policing that is appropriate to the scale, risk, cultural sensitivities and visitation outcomes of the Mardi Gras Festival.

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