Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is marching in the Mardi Gras for the second time since he took on the country’s top job, days before he’s likely to call an election sending Australians to the polls.“We need to respect everyone for who they are. This is a great celebration, but it also began as a political protest, when being gay or lesbian, your identity, could be a crime here in NSW,” he said.Anthony Albanese made history at the 45th annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade.Credit: Nikki Short“We’ve come a long way, but there’s still further to go, and we need to make every Australian feel safe,” he said.Albanese made history in 2023 when he became the first Australian prime minister to march.He told the ABC on Saturday night he’d been marching in the parade for the past 40 years. “It’s fun, it’s a celebration, and it shows a commitment to respect people for who they are.”Albanese has also fuelled speculation pop star Kylie Minogue could make an appearance later tonight. Asked who was on his post-parade playlist, Albanese, who is a famous music fan, said:“Obviously Kylie, who’s playing out at Homebush. There’s got to be some chance she’ll turn up here later on, hasn’t there? We’ll see.”Independents for Inclusion Nicolette Boele, Sophie Scamps, Kylea Tink, Allegra Spender and Zali Steggall pictured in Hyde Park before the parade.Credit: Dion GeorgopoulosAlbanese was joined by Sydney MP Tanya Plibersek. The NSW Liberal party also had a contingent.Riding aboard the Independents for Inclusion float earlier were Bradfield candidate Nicolette Boele, as well as teal MPs Sophie Scamps, Kylea Tink, Allegra Spender and Zali Steggall.
