Premier Jacinta Allan and then Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes announced the new laws in November.

Hate speech laws pass parliament as Liberals claim freedom of speech is at risk

The long-awaited reforms will make serious vilification – such as incitement of hatred or physical threats – punishable by up to five years’ jail.

  • Daniella White

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“We’re being treated with cruelty … The fact that someone like me can exist terrifies some people.”

Author Torrey Peters on why her existence ‘terrifies some people’

The prize-winning novelist on the cruelty faced by trans people – and how opponents have used stories of detransitioning to ‘weaponise regret’.

  • Benjamin Law
The stars from left to right;Rupert Grint,Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson with the author JK Rowling,at back,arrive for the world film premiere of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in London in 2001.

J.K. Rowling appears to accuse Harry Potter stars of ‘ruining’ movie franchise

The author has renewed her public disagreement with the films’ child stars Daniel Radcliffe,Emma Watson and Rupert Grint.

  • India McTaggart
Clive Palmer,Trumpet of Patriots chairman and party spokesperson,poses for cameras ahead of an address to the National Press Club.

‘I’ll have to bow and apologise’:Palmer admits mistake while stoking gender war

Palmer targeted transgender issues in a National Press Club address on Thursday,while at the same time claiming Australia’s public debate was being derailed by the topic.

  • Natassia Chrysanthos
Mayor of Whittlesea Aidan McLindon has been barred from attending the chamber over his alleged behaviour.

Mayor barred from chamber and making phone calls,as council takes ‘extraordinary’ action

Aidan McLindon,the former Freedom Party candidate who became an outer-suburban mayor,is at war with his own council after he was barred from attending meetings over repeated allegations of poor behaviour.

  • Tom Cowie andRachael Dexter
Mark Da Costa in his new St Peters cafe,Bueno Eatery.

He called his cafe a ‘Trump safe zone’ but now he’s making a comeback

Mark da Costa says he’s a different man to the one who made a string of homophobic comments in 2020. But some inner west residents will boycott his new venue.

  • Angus Thomson andAnthony Segaert
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The theme of the 2025 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras was “free to be me”.

Anthony Albanese joins revellers at the 2025 Sydney Mardi Gras as election looms

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made a surprise return to Mardi Gras on Saturday night,marching down Oxford Street in front of tens of thousands of spectators.

  • Megan Gorrey,Nick Newling andLucy Macken
The Fabulous Wonder Mama at the Sydney Mardi Gras press conference at The Beresford in Surry Hills,NSW. February 28,2025.

Sydney Mardi Gras 2025 as it happened:Thousands line Oxford Street to celebrate city’s LGBTQ community

Follow our live coverage as 10,000 marchers make their way down a crowd-lined Oxford Street for the 47th annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade.

  • Megan Gorrey,Nick Newling andLucy Macken
Keiron Brown,Sarah Martin,Alita Morgan,Aunty Barb Simms and Russell Weston will represent the LaPa Legends for the first time in Saturday’s Mardi Gras parade.

Alita grew up worried she’d get bashed. At Mardi Gras,she’ll march with thousands

A first-time float will celebrate one suburb’s LGBTQ community and its First Nations people. “You go through a lot of struggles being both,” a marcher said.

  • Megan Gorrey
Images from the 2024 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.

Everything you need to know for the 2025 Sydney Mardi Gras

Read our guide to the road closures,planned track work and night-time public transport for the Mardi Gras Parade.

  • Nick Newling