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After pressure from various bodies, Paul Toole, or “the Minister for Racing” as I call him, announced that venues in the Oxford St area will be exempt from the lockout laws during the upcoming Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade.

Venues will be able to serve alcohol until 3am on the morning of Sunday, March 4 (or until 3.30am for venues with live entertainment extensions).

“The NSW Government is pleased to relax the lockout laws as part of its support for the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade,” Toole said.

“It’s an internationally-renowned event that attracts visitors from all over the world and injects around $40 million into the NSW economy each year. Relaxing the requirements will give people more time to make their way to surrounding venues and events when the parade finishes.”

Of course, the area will still be heavily patrolled, so expect inspectors to hit most venues after 3.30am. Still, as the Minister for the Arts points out, it’s an important milestone, and a sensible, respectful decision to make.

“The city will come alive and this move allows businesses to take full advantage of the influx of the large crowds expected,” Minister for the Arts Don Harwin said of the decision.

“It’s an important milestone for the LGBTI community and we trust everyone will have a safe evening celebration.”

Check out the exemption area, below.