However, in a sign of increasing animosity, Mardi Gras' co-chairs Fran Bowron and Greg Small said: "One of the director's calling this meeting is the subject of a number of internal complaints." The 2016 Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade. Credit:James Brickwood Two resolutions concerning theft ask members to vote on a demand that directors are notified of suspected theft within the organisation and compel the board to press charges for suspected theft exceeding $10,000 by employees or volunteers. Other resolutions seek to avoid conflicts of interest by barring directors from being employed by the organisation or seeking contracts for themselves or family relatives, and a clamp down on paid excursions to other gay and lesbian events. Mardi Gras members will also be asked to vote on a motion to demand the chief executive and directors reveal information including "financial reports, unredacted budget papers, original legal advice ... any police reports filed by or against [the organisation]".

But many of the issues raised by Brechney and Bader are old and have been addressed by Mardi Gras, according to Bowron and Small. Malcolm Turnbull expects at least 50 per cent of voters will take part in the same-sex marriage postal vote "The two instances of staff related theft were referred to police at the time of discovery," they said. "Complaints within the organisation are handled in accordance with the organisation's iCare and dispute resolution policies. "Two competitive quotes are always obtained before the appointing of a business to provide a service to Mardi Gras." Mardi Gras is a not-for-profit, member-based organisation that runs the Sydney's Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade and festival.

The event has had a chequered history: it went into bankruptcy in 2002 and has been marred by financial struggles. There were allegations of police violence in 2013. But it is also one of the signature events on Sydney's calendar and attracts worldwide attention. This year's Mardi Gras parade was attended by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Labor leader Bill Shorten. Mr Brechney said the conflict between Mardi Gras directors could affect next year's parade and festival. But he said: "We shouldn't be afraid to go to the members to have these robust discussions. These sort of things can be quite healthy in the long term, but absolutely in the short term it's been a frustrating experience." Mr Brechney said he was worried about a lack of transparency in the running of Mardi Gras, which was having a dramatic overhaul, including a possible re-routing of the parade.

Members will be asked to vote on a resolution that states the parade's home is Oxford Street: "Resources spent on exploring other locations for the parade, including but not limited to [Sydney Olympic Park] or Barangaroo Precinct, is to be limited to a yearly spend of $1." Another resolution seeks to ensure fundraising events such as Lip-Sync Duels, a performance contest held in May at Paddington Town Hall, are run in accordance with rules laid down by NSW Fair Trading. Mr Brechney said he was bound by confidentiality provisions from speaking openly but "obviously we've called a meeting where six directors don't agree ... so it's a very tense time". Mr Brechney is the founder of the DIY rainbow movement, which chalked a rainbow pedestrian crossing on Oxford Street in 2013, and was elected to the board of Mardi Gras in 2014. ​"I think, with robust change, the organisation will flourish and next year is going to be fantastic," he said. "But we need to have these conversations in order to move forward."