Tag: ‘Flagship’ Sydney Spectaculars

New Zealand’s Biggest Band, ‘SIX60’, To Headline Pre-Game Entertainment For State Of Origin 2023 Game 3

New Zealand’s biggest band, multi-platinum selling SIX60, who regularly fill New Zealand’s biggest venues, will headline the pre-game entertainment for State Of Origin 2023: Game 3 – Sydney on Wednesday the 12th of July at Stadium Australia.

Additional pre-game entertainment will include a pyrotechnic/light show and a Welcome To Country followed by the National Anthem. The half-time entertainment will be a Little Origin match between local junior players from Sacred Heart Mount Druitt & Cessnock Public School.

Tickets for Game 3 of State of Origin 2023 are available from AUD$59 for adults and AUD$165 for families here.

Game 2 of State Of Origin 2023, a possible decider, will be held at Lang Park, Brisbane on Wednesday the 21st of June. The extra entertainment for this match will be in a future article.

It’s an honour to be playing the pre-game show for Game 3 of State of Origin 2023!

We are huge fans of rugby league & State of Origin is the pinnacle of the sport. To be playing a part in the action is something we will never forget. We can’t wait!

Matiu Walters, SIX60’s lead singer & guitarist

Do You Recognise These Alleged Vivid Vandals? If You Do, Call Crime Stoppers. 2 19-Year-Old Men Since Charged

3 males of white appearance, believed to be aged in their early-20’s, all with brown hair, have allegedly damaged, to the value of approximately $280,000, “lighting installations” as part of Vivid Sydney 2023 – Naturally at about 3:15am AEST Sunday the 11th of June 2023.

The males then fled the scene. Vivid Light finished for the day at 11pm AEST on Saturday the 10th of June 2023.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via New South Wales Police social media pages.

Officers attached to Sydney City Police Area Command were notified & commenced an investigation.

Police released closed-circuit television footage at 9:36pm on Sunday the 11th of June 2023:

https://videopress.com/v/voBc2Fla?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true
Darling Harbour CCTV Video: NSW Police

Following inquiries, 2 19-year-old men attended Castle Hill Police Station about 7:30pm AEST yesterday.

Detectives attached to Sydney City Police Area Command charged both men with destroy or damage property more than $15,000.

They were given conditional bail to appear before Parramatta Local Court on Wednesday the 5th of July 2023.

Investigations are ongoing.

Vivid Lights Go Off For 1 Minute After Hunter Valley Coach Tragedy

In memory of the 10 lives lost in the Hunter Valley coach tragedy last night, the lights of Vivid Sydney were turned off tonight for 1 minute at 7:30pm AEST.

Ticketed events such as Lightscape, Dark Spectrum & Wild Lights were not turned off due to the fact that people need to pay to see these light installations for a limited time.

Just after 11.30pm last night, a coach containing 36 wedding guests rolled while going around a roundabout on Wine Country Drive, Greta in the Hunter Valley, 2 hours north of Sydney. New South Wales (NSW) Police have confirmed 10 people have died, 25 were taken to hospital via helicopter & road & a further 4 are uninjured.

Wine Country Drive, Greta has since been closed and detours implemented with a crime scene being established, which will be examined by specialist forensic police & the Crash Investigation Unit. An investigation into the crash’s circumstances has also commenced. The Maitland coach driver, 58 years of age and taken to hospital, has since been discharged and taken to Cessnock Police Station, where, after mandatory testing & assessment, he was charged with 10 counts of dangerous driving occasioning death – drive manner dangerous, and negligent driving (occasioning death). He was refused bail to appear at Cessnock Local Court on Tuesday the 13th of June.

Officers from Hunter Valley Police District, Police Rescue, Traffic & Highway Patrol, NSW Fire and Rescue, NSW Rural Fire Service, NSW Ambulance paramedics and various helicopters for hospital transports attended the scene.

Police are still working on crash victim identification and to contact the identified’s next of kin. Family & friends of a person who may have been on board the coach are urged to contact Cessnock Police Station on 02 4991 0199.

Witnesses – or anyone with information relevant to the crash’s circumstances – are urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 to keep the line to Cessnock Police Station clear for concerned family members & friends. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.

I extend my deepest condolences to the families, friends and loved ones of those who have been killed in this accident and those who are injured.

NSW Premier, Chris Minns

Walk From/To Town Hall These Final 2 Vivid Drone Show Nights As Organisers Predict Mind-Blowing Final Overall Attendance Record Of 3.5 Million

Vivid Sydney 2023 will be a historic edition of the Sydney Spectaculars for good reasons for now. We will go into detail about this in a post-event review. But this final week will determine whether there will be any negative reasons it will be historic.

Vivid Sydney started in 2009 and after exploding into popularity in 2013, the crowds have consistently grown to the point that in 2017, I wrote a lengthy opinion article called Vivid Sydney Has Potential For Disaster. It has consistently been the most popular Vivid article on this site from its 2016 publication. Since then, Vivid has implemented some of my recommendations, some successfully, some poorly. There are still things Vivid needs to do to improve crowd management, but this week will determine if they have left it too late.

In summary, Vivid Sydney 2023 will be historic for being the 1st time Sydney New Year’s Eve is no longer the most creative event on Sydney Harbour and as well as heralding in the next era or ‘revolution’: the use of drone shows on Sydney Harbour.

Drones show did not pop up overnight. Vivid held the 1st Sydney Harbour drone show in 2016 – a 1-night 100-drone world-record breaking drone show (video above). It took another 6 years before they re-appeared as a 500-drone show on Sydney Harbour in January 2022 as part of Elevate Sydney. Vivid also brought it back last year as a 1-night show but up to 600 drones. These previous 2 shows set the southern hemisphere record. Drone shows were also held for The Everest Barrier Draw & the re-opening of the Art Gallery Of New South Wales. Noel Sydney was held one twice a night in the week before Christmas. In January this year, Elevate Sydney became the 1st annual Sydney Harbour drone show and right now, Vivid has become Sydney Harbour’s 2nd annual and most popular drone show.

Crowds have unexpectedly spiked during the times drone shows are held & even more surprising, everyone is leaving as soon as the drone show has finished. Combining this with the fact this is the 1st post-COVID-19 pandemic edition (last year’s edition was held despite significant cases of COVID-19 in New South Wales), director, Gill Minervini, has declared crowds are about 38% higher than last year.

Last year’s edition was record-breaking – 2.58 million people overall or 112,000 people per night on average. Taking into account the 38% extra crowds – Vivid Sydney 2023 is set to have a mind-blowing 3.5 million visitors overall or 155,000 per night on average – and we are in the middle of the most popular period to visit Vivid Sydney – the King’s Birthday long weekend. So far, 2 million people have been confirmed to have attended – just a half a million off the record so far.

The final 2 Written In The Stars drone shows are at 9:10pm on Monday & Wednesday night – the Monday being a public holiday. Luckily, unlike in 2016 when a crowd crush occurred near the Moore Steps, Vivid Sydney has been preparing for the extraordinarily sized crowds to converge for these final 2 drone shows particularly Monday night’s. Today, in addition to the existing transport advice, organisers released some special transport advice for this Monday and Wednesday:

If travelling by train or light rail, hop off/on at Town Hall and walk down/up George Street to/from Circular Quay. This walk will take about 20 minutes both directions.

From 8:30pm to 9:30pm, trains will not stop at Circular Quay directly from/to certain stops. A list of the stops is at the end of the article. For all other stops, trains will not drop off passengers at Circular Quay on Monday only. This means between 8:30pm & 9:30pm on drone show nights, trains will not stop at Platform 1 – the Harbour Bridge view platform – as people are crowding out the platform not to catch a train but for the ‘perfect’ view of the drones. As a result, all trains during those times, will leave from Platform 2 – the Customs House platform. If you want a similar view, find a publicly open nearby building that has publicly accessible views of Circular Quay or go to the Cahill Expressway walkway, directly above Circular Quay train station.

A lot of customers tend to congregate on the platform, to get a nice view of the drones over Circular Quay. It’s very important, obviously, that we maintain the safety of that platform.

Sydney Trains Chief Executive Matt Longland

From 5pm Monday to 1am Tuesday & 9pm to 10:30pm Wednesday, the Circular Quay, Bridge Street, Wynyard & Queen Victoria Building light rail stations will not be operating. Remember, Vivid Light ends at 11pm each night.

New South Wales Police also announced extra police resources will be deployed on Monday.

Remember, you can also watch Monday’s Written In The Stars drone show online live or watch a stream of Sunday the 28th of May’s drone show by visiting our ‘Watch LIVE’ page.

Like we wrote in 2016, extra police officers will only take up more space. The Circular Quay Platform 1 problem won’t be solved unless they empty & close access to the platform at 8:30pm. We believe they will do that but there has been no confirmation of it. In any case, we advise to not use that platform to watch, photograph or film the drone show. The advice given by organisers won’t alone reduce crowds but will make getting to & leaving Vivid Sydney a lot easier if implemented. Instinct will lead people to still head to Circular Quay train station to head home as that would be normally the quickest way (particularly in the 10 minutes post-drone show unless your stop is listed below). Until Vivid implements correctly the recommendations I made in the 2016 article, we can only rely on their advice: please arrive and head home via a George Street walk & Town Hall train/light rail stations.

You can also consult these resources:

But the final question is – has Vivid Sydney learnt the lessons of 2016 yet or will it be too late? We’ll find out the latter by Thursday.

Don’t forget to not bring your drone (unless you have approval from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority)! And if you see illegal drone use to report it here!

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald

Stations Trains Won’t Come From Or Go To At Circular Quay On Monday & Wednesday Between 8:30pm & 9:30pm

  • Ashfield
  • Bankstown
  • Liverpool
  • Campsie
  • Cabramatta
  • Fairfield
  • Flemington
  • Marrickville
  • Lakemba
  • Petersham
  • Newtown
  • Homebush
  • Guildford
  • Lewisham
  • Canterbury
  • Belmore
  • Berala
  • Canley Vale
  • Dulwich Hill
  • Croydon
  • Erksineville
  • Merrylands
  • Stanmore
  • Leppington
  • Edmondson Park
  • Summer Hill
  • Hurlstone Park
  • Punchbowl
  • Chester Hill
  • Macdonaldtown
  • Warwick Farm
  • Birrong
  • Wiley Park
  • Yagoona
  • Regents Park
  • Yennora
  • Carramar
  • Sefton
  • Casula
  • Villawood
  • Leightonfield

No Clearance: Illegal Drone Use At Vivid Sydney 2023 Prompts Warnings From Authorities

If you see illegal drone use at Vivid Sydney, you can report to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) here.

This year’s Vivid Sydney, the 1st post-COVID-19 pandemic edition & the 2nd since the pandemic began, from as early as the opening weekend, has seen people bringing & flying drones despite not having approval from CASA, putting at risk helicopters, seaplanes as well as Vivid Sydney’s own drone shows and spectators – all of which are at low altitude. As a result, organisers and authorities are urging people to not fly drones at Vivid Sydney unless you have approval from CASA.

Vivid Sydney 2023 is the 1st ‘Sydney Spectacular’ and year respectively that illegal drone use from people has promoted warnings from authorities.

We are aware some people have brought their drones to Vivid

Civil Aviation Safety Authority

You may not be aware, especially if you’re an international visitor, but Sydney Harbour is not just a working international seaport but a domestic airport as well. Whilst helicopters fly at low altitudes frequently over Sydney Harbour from numerous heliports, whether it is media, medical/rescue/tourist flights or civilians having a recreational flight, seaplanes actually use the Harbour as a runway. Rose Bay is the home & ‘runway’ of Sydney’s seaplanes, which takes tourists on joy flights around New South Wales & is just a mere 4 kilometres from the heart of Vivid Sydney, Circular Quay.

Seaplanes and ‘land’ planes are still the same – they are aeroplanes. They need room to take off and most critically, land, particularly if it is an emergency landing and they need to fly at lower altitudes to do this. All this applies to helicopters as well.

Orange: Approved Seaplane/Helicopter Air Routes, Red: Rose Bay Water Airport Boundary, Silver: Recommended Seaplane ‘Runways’, Yellow: Vivid Sydney Drone Show Boundaries, Purple: Vivid Light Walk 2023

With the King’s Birthday long weekend approaching, when the biggest Vivid Sydney crowds arrive, organisers, CASA & New South Wales Police are urging people to keep drones away from Sydney Harbour unless you have approval from CASA.

Drones aren’t completely banned from Sydney Harbour. You just need to receive approval from CASA. Even if you did get approval, you still have to follow the rules:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-urP2fIJYk8
  • You can only fly 1 drone at a time.
  • Your drone must be direct visual line-of-sight at all times so you cannot fly via instruments like devices, screens or virtual reality goggles.
  • Only fly your drone during the day
  • Your drone must be in flight 30 metres away from people (except from the pilot or supervisors) regardless of altitude.
  • Your drone must be no higher than 120 metres above the ground during flight.
  • Your drone must not be flown behind obstacles, in cloud, fog, smoke or within 100 metres of Sydney Opera House’s Benny The Seal

To extend beyond most of the above rules, you need special approvals from CASA.

There are extra rules when flying over New South Wales national parks such as Sydney Harbour National Parks.

If you’re unsure where to fly your drone, use a CASA-verified drone safety app to find out where you can and can’t fly you drone. Download your preferred app today here.

If you intend to fly your drone for or at work (commercially), you will also need to register your drone with CASA and get a licence/accreditation.

In Australia, CASA follow up reports of illegal drone use, who may advise you on laws and give you a warning. They can also issue fines of up to AUD$1,375 per offence, impose operating restrictions or restrict/cancel your accreditation, licence, certificate, or registration.

For serious offences, such as if you interfere with a drone or your drone becomes a hazard to other aircraft, or if you refuse to pay a fine, CASA may refer your case to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions, and you may receive a summons to attend court. If the matter is taken to court, fines of up to AUD$33,300 can be imposed, you could be restricted from flying, convicted of a crime and sent to jail for up to 2 years.

If you did not know, Australia has a national drone detection system at airports.

For more information on drone use, visit CASA’s Drones webpage or the Australian Goverment’s Drones website.

Drone shows were first introduced to Sydney Harbour in 2016 & after a 6-year absence and since 2022, are now an annual feature at ‘flagship’ Sydney Spectacular, Vivid Sydney & other Sydney Spectaculars, Elevate Sydney & Noel Sydney. Vivid Sydney 2023 – Naturally‘s Written In The Stars drone show has been assessed by CASA “to ensure all safety measures and checks are in place”.

In the end, the more non-show drones in the air during Vivid, the more cluttered the night sky would be during Vivid, the less spectacular Vivid will be, the less drone shows there will be at Vivid.

Best advice: Keep the drones at home and photograph from land, watercraft or a non-drone aircraft.

Recreational drones should not be flown at night or in a populous area, such as major events like Vivid Sydney.

Sydney Harbour and surrounding areas are in a no drone zone, without prior approval, due to helicopters and seaplanes that fly at low altitudes in the area. If you’re heading to Vivid Sydney, leave your own drone at home.

Civil Aviation Safety Authority

Whilst we love to see the public enjoying the sights and sounds – and we appreciate the temptation to gain a bird’s eye view of the spectacular scenery – recreational drones pose a serious safety risk to the public when flown over crowds.

Drones are not permitted to be flown over populous areas, including crowds, beaches, parks, and events such as the Vivid Festival, and the Sydney CBD area.

The Sydney Harbour is a no-fly zone.

Breaching these rules can lead to fines, or even gaol.

We’d prefer that everyone avoids these penalties and instead has a safe and enjoyable time at the Vivid Festival.

New South Wales Police

NSW Slip From Jaws Of Victory As 12-Man QLD Storm To Claim Origin I 2023

Queensland 26-18 New South Wales

A 12-man Queensland side score 2 tries in quick succession after a slip from Brian To’o saw New South Wales see a sudden defeat in Game 1 of State Of Origin 2023 just as victory was in their grasp.

After all the White Noise of pre-match mind games, State Of Origin 2023 begun with Indigenous performances & a light & pyrotechnic show before Origin greats, Darren Lockyer & Paul Gallen brought the State Of Origin shield onto Adelaide Oval. This was followed by Australian rock band, The Living End, building up the atmosphere for the record-Adelaide crowd of 48.613 with a 10-minute set to the lead up to kick-off. The customary Welcome To Country, conducted by Uncle Karl Winda Telfer and performance of the National Anthem, sung by Stefanie Jones, then followed. Preceding all this, just under 2 hours prior to kick-off, was an Under-18’s match between Combined Affiliated States (CAS) Blue Vs CAS Silver to help decide which players would be selected for the Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League Under-18’s Championships CAS Team. CAS Blue won 28-12.

In Brisbane, the event just begun over 3 hours prior to kick-off, at sunset at 5:02pm local time, when the Story and Victoria Bridges, City Hall, Sandgate Town Hall, the Tropical Dome & Reddacliff Place sculptures were all lit up maroon.

Broadcast-wise, it started at 7pm with the Nine Network adding a live camera to the team buses & doing interviews with players from inside the bus on the way to the stadium. Only Queensland had this as NSW had already arrived before the broadcast started so their footage was on delay or non-existent.

The Nine Network also showed the team line-ups with the respective states’ iconic bridges in the background lit up in their team’s colours, complete with computer-generated fireworks. The Sydney Harbour Bridge lit up blue complete with blue pylon projections was shown again later but despite host James Bracey saying the shot was “live”, it was actually filmed 6 nights ago, before ‘flagship’ ‘Sydney Spectacular, Vivid Sydney, started and after Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s visit to Sydney being commemorated with the Harbour Bridge being lit up in the colours of the Indian flag, which was also projected onto the pylons.

Anyway, to the game. Queensland got off to a great start with 2 quick tries (Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow & Selwyn Cobbo) 1 of which was converted, carving through the New South Wales defense. Then, the first injury of the night – a dislocated shoulder for Tom Gilbert. Liam Martin then broke through to score New South Wales’ 1st try of the night, converted. At half-time, the score was 10-6 in favour of Queensland.

Throughout the game, the Nine Network issued new ‘fatigue alerts’ when the game had gone 3 or 4 minutes without a stoppage.

During half-time, a Little Origin match was held between Elizabeth North Public School & East Torrens Public School.

New South Wales got off to a flyer in the 2nd half after a series of stumbles by Queensland saw Apisai Koroisau, score another converted try for New South Wales, bringing them into the lead for the 1st time during the match. Shortly after, Reuben Cotter was placed on report for an alleged crusher tackle on Josh Addo-Carr. This was followed by Selweyn Cobbo scoring another converted try with the littlest room available before the sideline which returned Queensland to the lead. Meanwhile, Stephen Crichton turned the tables around again after Queensland’s defence went to microsleep with another converted try.

To make matters worse for Queensland, a minute later, Thomas Flegler, was sent to the sin bin for a high knock until the final 90 seconds of the match. Murray Taulagi was interchanged at this point for a head injury assessment. Leaving Queensland with a man in the sin bin and thus, only 12 on the field and much needed talent on the sideline with injuries or injury assessments, it looked like a New South Wales victory was in sight but a slip from Brian To’o allowed an easy converted try scored by Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow. New South Wales’ spirit was broken and another unconverted try quickly followed suit, scored by Cameron Munster, to give Queensland the win in Game 1 of the 3-game series.

All successful conversions were kicked by Valentine Holmes for Queensland & Nathan Cleary for New South Wales.

The final score was Queensland 26-18 New South Wales. At this stage, if the Premiers resume ‘The Bet’ before Game 2 starts, the Sydney Harbour Bridge will be lit maroon for at least 35 minutes on Friday 14th of July 2023 with Queensland just 1 win away from 2023 series victory.

It’s so good to get the win, the way we stuck in it and held on in that second half. We spoke about our cyclone and staying in the fight and keep turning up for each other

Player of the match, Reuben Cotter (QLD)

It was everything and more. As a kid you dream of putting on a Maroons jersey. There were nerves today but glad to get the win. Everyone’s going to question myself but Billy is a good coach and he has the trust in me. They didn’t need me to do anything more or less, just my job. Every session he pulled me in and gave me advice.

Queensland fullback, Reece Walsh.

Game 2 will be held at Lang Park on Wednesday, June 21 at 8:05pm AEST & Game 1 of an expanded 2-game Women’s State Of Origin is tomorrow at 7:45pm at Western Sydney Stadium.

‘State Of Origin’ Kicks Off As Newest Flagship ‘Sydney Spectacular’

The world’s greatest rugby league series – State Of Origin – has been designated as the 5th and newest flagship Sydney Spectacular.

This means the flagship Sydney Spectaculars are as follows:

  • Sydney New Year’s Eve (31 December/1 January)
  • Australia Day In Sydney (26 January)
  • Vivid Sydney (Late May to Mid-June)
  • State Of Origin (Late May to Mid-July)
  • Airshows Downunder – Shellharbour (November bi-annually)

(You may have noticed a name & date change for Wings Over Illawarra – more on this another time!)

The best of 3 series between the New South Wales (NSW) (nicknamed Blues/Cockroaches & Queensland (QLD) (nicknamed Maroons/Cane Toads), held annually with a match each in May, June & July, sees most of the world’s best rugby league players attempt to score tries, worth 4 points (and convert them into a goal – 2 points) & field goals, worth 1 point, by passing the ball to each other & when the opponent has the ball, tackling the opponent, in order to be the team with the most points after 2 40-minute halves, one half each way. The team with the most points wins the match. If a team wins the most out of the 3 matches, they win the State Of Origin Shield.

Historically, out of 41 editions, QLD has won 22 (53.66%), NSW 17 (41.46%) and 2 draws (4.88%). Draws are no longer possible due to extra-time & golden point rules.

Team lists are released 9 days prior to Game 1. Here is the 2023 Game 1 Team List:

GAME 1 TEAM LISTS

QLD

  • Fullback – Reece Walsh
  • Winger – Selwyn Cobbo
  • Centre – Valentine Holmes
  • Centre – Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
  • Winger – Murray Taulagi
  • Five-Eighth – Cameron Munster
  • Halfback – Daly Cherry-Evans (captain)
  • Prop – Thomas Flegler
  • Hooker – Ben Hunt
  • Prop – Lindsay Collins
  • 2nd Row – David Fifita
  • 2nd Row – Tom Gilbert
  • Lock – Patrick Carrigan
  • Interchange – Harry Grant
  • Interchange – Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
  • Interchange – Reuben Cotter
  • Interchange – Jai Arrow
  • Replacement – Tom Dearden
  • Reserve – Christian Welch

NSW

  • Fullback – James Tedesco (captain)
  • Winger – Brian To’o
  • Centre – Latrell Mitchell* Stephen Crichton
  • Centre – Tom Trbojevic
  • Winger – Josh Addo-Carr
  • Five-Eighth – Jarome Luai
  • Halfback – Nathan Cleary
  • Prop – Tevita Pangai Junior
  • Hooker – Apisai Koroisau
  • Prop – Payne Haas
  • 2nd Row – Tyson Frizell
  • 2nd Row – Hudson Young
  • Lock – Isaah Yeo
  • Interchange – Junior Paulo
  • Interchange – Cameron Murray
  • Interchange – Liam Martin
  • Interchange – Nicholas Hynes
  • Replacement – Stephen Crichton Matt Burton
  • Reserve – Stefano Utoikamanu

*Calf strain sustained during training over the weekend. This is a significant blow for NSW.

Match Officials

  • Referee: Ashley Klein
  • Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
  • Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
  • Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins

For the 2023 series, Game 1 will be held in Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Wednesday, Game 2 in Brisbane at The Cauldron (Lang Park) on Wednesday, 21 June and Game 3 in Sydney at Stadium Australia on Wednesday, 12 July. For international readers, the games are traditionally held on a Wednesday night. This year, kick-off is at 8:05pm AEST. Buy your tickets today! Tickets start at $49 for adults and $145 for families. Apart from the match, tickets include live performances & interactive experiences. Corporate hospitality packages are also available.

We’re looking forward to getting down to Adelaide – the boys have good memories here from 2020. There’s nothing like the intensity of an Origin battle, no matter where we’re playing – and the fans have a big part in that. I hope we’ll see plenty of Maroon around the stadium this year.

Johnathan Thurston, QLD Assistant Coach
The Living End

Game 1 pre-match entertainment will be a Welcome To Country, a light show & a performance from 6-time Australian Recording Industry Award-winning rock band, The Living End, best known for hits including Prisoner of Society and White Noise, while half-time entertainment for all games will be Little Origin matches – a dream chance for Year 5 and Year 6 students to take to the field representing their schools in front of their home audience!

Holy smokes this is an awesome thing, we’re pumped to be playing State of Origin! Turn up your TV folks because footy and rock’n’roll music is a mighty pairing. We can’t wait!

Chris Cheney, ‘The Living End’ lead singer & guitarist

Ampol State of Origin 2023 – Game 1 is supported by the South Australian (SA) Government through the South Australian Tourism Commission:

When these two teams went into battle at Adelaide Oval in 2020, it was an absolute cracker of a game, with the Maroons just sneaking home in front of more than 25,000 fans, so we are very excited for the rematch.

Adelaide Oval and South Australia always puts on a great show & it will be terrific to welcome interstate fans to our city & have thousands of people exploring our restaurants, pubs and laneway bars & filling hotel rooms.

South Australian Premier, Peter Malinauskas

Hosting State of Origin Game One in May will be a true highlight amongst the world-class events we’ve brought to South Australia this year. With fans travelling in their tens of thousands from within and outside the state, the game will be worth an estimated $15 million our hotels, restaurants and cafes. We can’t wait to welcome Blues and Maroons fans back to Adelaide.

South Australian Minister For Tourism, Zoe Bettison MP
Paul McGregor, Paul Sironen, Petero Civoniceva & Johnathan Thurston with Steeden rugby league balls & the State Of Origin Shield in Victoria Square, Adelaide.

The 2023 series was launched in late-March in Adelaide’s Victoria Square with over 40 local students from East Torrens Primary School as well as the above-mentioned names (except the SA Premier) but the dates & venues are actually announced in early November the year prior while tickets went on sale in mid-February. Any rule changes are announced in mid-January, which for 2023, there were none but in mid-March, the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) announced that following a diagnosed concussion, whether in training or match, a mandatory 11-day stand-down period for that player will be implemented.

There is no greater priority for us than player safety. It’s front and centre of everything we do.

Our current head injury protocols are exceptionally strong. Following a review of the data and the expert advice we have received, the Commission have enhanced these protocols even further by providing a mandatory 11 day stand down period following a diagnosed concussion.

ARLC Chairman, Peter V’landys AM

Also, in mid-December 2022, South Korean automobile manufacturer, Kia, was announced as a sponsor of State Of Origin until and including 2025 while in late-February 2023, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) was announced as a sponsor of State Of Origin until and including 2027. In early March 2023, Chemist Warehouse was announced as a sponsor of State Of Origin until late 2025 and in mid-March 2023, Hisense Australia was announced as a major sponsor of State Of Origin until 2025.

On 23rd May, they announced a ‘One Pass At A Time’ partnership initiative with the Gotcha4Life Foundation that will raise awareness & funds to host mental fitness workshops in Australian grassroots rugby league clubs. You can do this by purchasing a Virtual One Pass for $20, $40 or $80 at onepass.gotcha4life.org & sharing your story on social media using #virtualonepass, or by donating at any 2023 Ampol State of Origin game. 

We all go through difficult times in our lives. No matter how tough you are, negative thoughts can take over. It’s not a weakness to reach out but rather a strength.

The Gotcha4Life program provides the pathways to remove this stigma. As a game we want to provide our reach and support to assist them in their fight to normalise mental health issues.

The One Pass At A Time initiative is more than just a fundraising campaign, it’s about fostering conversation, connection and making a meaningful impact on people’s lives. We encourage everyone involved in our great game to support it.

Peter V’landys AM, Chairman of the Australian Rugby League Commission

Providing access to simple and practical tools and resources to have deeper conversations to get through challenging times can help change a life, just as one pass can change a footy game.

The team at Gotcha4Life deliver programs in schools, sports clubs and the community, which provide tools to have more meaningful conversations, so we all feel comfortable to speak up and know what questions to ask beyond the banter.

Gus Worland, Gotcha4Life Foundation Founder

I’ve been an Ambassador for Gotcha4Life for a few years now and in that time Gus and the team have created a positive space for players to open up. It’s really important to make those conversations part of everyday life, especially for professional athletes where there’s still a lot of stigma around being open with your emotions.

New South Wales Captain, James Tedesco
Daly Cheery-Evans & James Tedesco

During Origin games, we do everything we can to beat the other team, but the overarching message is that it’s just a game and there’s a bigger fight at hand, which is mental fitness.

There’s still a stigma surrounding vulnerability, and showing emotion is a sign of weakness. This partnership is working to change that and hopefully destroy these stigmas in the process. Physical fitness is still a huge part of my preparation for games, but my mental fitness has become just as important because I know that without a clear head, without having balance in my life, I can’t go out and perform to the best of my ability.

Daly Cherry-Evans, QLD Captain & Gotcha4Life Ambassador

The Rationale

Why this event you ask?

Since the Sydney Harbour Bridge was first lit up for Vivid Sydney in 2013, the Bridge has been lit up blue to encourage NSW & to celebrate their victories, notably in 2014 when they finally won after an 8-year losing streak:

But in more recent years, something new had started,,,

‘The Bet’

Before and during recent State Of Origin series, the Premiers of NSW & QLD decided to wager the illuminating colours of their respective iconic bridges – the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Brisbane’s Story Bridge – if they lost that year’s State Of Origin series. So, if NSW lost, the Sydney Harbour Bridge would be lit maroon and if QLD lost, the Story Bridge would be lit up blue.

This ‘bet’ was wagered numerous times over recent years but none of the Premiers followed through on the bet when their state lost…until 2022, when NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet, lit up the Sydney Harbour Bridge maroon for 35 minutes, 2 days after the final match.

Therefore, a standard had been set – the illumination of the opponent’s colours on your state’s respective bridge has to be a minimum of 35 minutes.

Note: The Premiers, so far, have not made ‘The Bet’ for 2023.

History

State Of Origin began in 1982 after 2 years of trials where the final match of an existing interstate rugby league best-of-3 ‘state of residence’ series between NSW & QLD was run under ‘state of origin’ rules. These ‘state of residence’ rules were used since rugby league was 1st played in these states but the matches tended to be one-sided due to NSW being the home of Australian rugby league despite just over half of the players starting their rugby league journeys in QLD. After the 1st ‘state of origin’ trial in 1980, everyone saw a completely different game – fiery, gladiatorial and no longer one-sided. When it became a full series in 1982, it transformed the game in Australia. The annual NSW rugby league season (now called NRL or National Rugby League) was no longer the main rugby league competition in Australia, it was State Of Origin. In fact, it is now the world’s greatest rugby league competition.

State Of Origin has grown year on year with daily attendance now at an average of 64,000 people and a daily Australian television broadcast average audience of 2.6 million people – the 2nd most watched show on Australian television annually!

Apart from the capital cities of NSW & QLD (Sydney & Brisbane), State Of Origin matches have also been held in Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide & in 1987, the United States Of America at Long Beach, California, the concluding match in a rare 4-match series.

To acknowledge the fact it is the world’s greatest rugby league series, it’s sporting pride of place in Sydney, it’s association with other Sydney Harbour events, particularly Vivid Sydney, and the ‘The Bet’, we have decided to designate State Of Origin as a flagship Sydney Spectacular.

What if I cannot attend the event?

The Australian broadcast rights are held by the Nine Network and internationally, it is broadcast to various countries (check your local guides to see if a broadcast is held in your country). The lighting of the Sydney Harbour or Story Bridges in the opposing state’s colours if the Bridge’s state loses is not broadcast (at least not yet).

Sydney Spectaculars will be providing coverage of the 2023 series. While we will provide a link to 9Now, the official Australian internet streamer of State Of Origin, on our ‘Watch LIVE’ page for Game 1 of the 2023 series, a direct embed will not possible for any future match unless a change in broadcast rights or contract conditions allows 3rd party embeds of the match broadcasts. In future editions or games, we may provide a list of international broadcasters on the ‘Watch LIVE’ page.

Also, remember it is a best of 3 series so if you miss the 1st or 2nd game, you can still attend the 2nd or final game!

There is also Women’s State Of Origin, which is not considered a ‘flagship’ Sydney Spectacular. Sponsored as well by KFC & Chemist Warehouse, this game started as a single annual match in 2019 – with both teams winning half the games – and will expand to 2 matches this year with Game 1 on Thursday at Western Sydney Stadium & Game 2 on Thursday 22 June at North Queensland Stadium in Townsville. Both games start at 7:45pm AEST. Rules, half-time entertainment & corporate hospitality information in this article applies for this series too. Tickets went on sale in late April at $20 for adults and $40 for families, while juniors under 15 can enter free with a paying adult. The team lists are announced 8 days prior to a game and Game 1’s team list can be found here.

State Of Origin, it’s time for kick off!

NSW ELECTION 2023 LIVE BLOG: CRONULLA MLA, MARK SPEAKMAN, ELECTED AS OPPOSITION LEADER BY COALITION

You can watch live coverage of the results of the NSW Election 2023 by Australia’s most famous psephologist, Antony Green, and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation by clicking here or ‘Watch LIVE’ on the menu to the left.

This is a live blog of the NSW Election 2023 results. To see latest news, refresh the webpage. Here is a summary of the major news:

  • At 6pm AEDT, the polls closed.
  • At 6:20pm AEDT, the 1st counted votes came through.
  • At 7:06pm, the 1st results have come through from the NSW Premier’s district, Epping.
  • At 7:20pm, the 1st results for the Legislative Council have come through.
  • At 7:31pm, the NSW Premier is under 50% on 1st preferences in his district.
  • At 7:37pm, ‘we’ are calling the district of Kogarah for Chris Minns.
  • At 7:52pm, Australia’s most famous psephologist, Antony Green, has called a Labor-led Government with the Coalition unable to form Government.
  • At 7:59pm, the NSW Premier went back just over 50% of 1st preferences in his district.
  • At 8:16pm, the NSW Premier went back just under 50% of 1st preferences in his district.
  • At 8:24pm, the NSW Premier was at 48% on 1`st preferences in his district.
  • At 8:42pm, Australia’s most famous psephologist, Antony Green, says he is “confident” a Labor-led Government will be a majority government.
  • At 8:46pm, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation‘s Sarah Ferguson reports Labor Leader, Chris Minns, has left his home.
  • At 8:56pm, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation‘s David Speers has reported that Labor Leader, Chris Minns, has arrived to make his victory speech.
  • At 9:01pm, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation‘s Sarah Ferguson has reported that NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet has called Opposition Leader, Chris Minns, to concede the election to him.
  • At 9:44pm, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation‘s David Speers has reported that NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet, is “a couple of minutes” away from arriving to make his concession speech.
  • At 9:48pm, Dominic Perrottet has arrived to make his concession speech.
  • At 9:51pm, the NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet, has begun his concession speech saying Chris Minns will “be a fine 47th Premier” over the next 4 years.
  • At 10:03pm, the NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet, announced he will stand down as Parliamentary Leader of the Liberal Party.
  • At 10:28pm, the Labor Leader, Chris Minns, begins his victory speech saying “we will not let them down”.
  • At 10:58pm, ‘we’ called the Legislative Council to form for the next 4 years in favour of the left/progessive side of politics.
  • On Tuesday, the Minns Labor NSW Government was sworn in by the Governor of NSW, Margaret Beazley, after 3 Independent Members of Parliament-elect gave Labor confidence and supply, 1 MP-elect more than required at this stage.
  • 1 week after election night, Australia’s most famous psephologist, Antony Green, has called a Labor-led Minority Government.
  • 2 weeks after election night, Australia’s most famous psephologist, Antony Green, has finished calling Legislative Assembly districts, giving Labor 45 districts, 2 short of a majority.
  • 19 days after election night, the Liberal Party announce they will decide the next Opposition Leader on April 21.
  • 25 days after election night, the NSW Electoral Commission announced the finalised results with Labor winning the most districts in the Legislative Assembly – a minority of 45 districts – while no major party won a majority or clear lead in the Legislative Council. A now-divided crossbench has the balance of power in the Legislative Council.
  • 27 days after election night, the NSW Liberal Parliamentary Party elected Member of the Legislative Assembly for the District of Cronulla, Mark Speakman, as their leader and thus, Coalition leader and thus, Opposition Leader.

27 DAYS AFTER ELECTION NIGHT:

CRONULLA MLA, MARK SPEAKMAN, ELECTED AS OPPOSITION LEADER BY COALITION

The NSW Liberal Parliamentary Party elected Member of the Legislative Assembly for the District of Cronulla, Mark Speakman, as their leader and thus, Coalition leader and thus, Opposition Leader.

The date of Australia Day will be dependent on Mark Speakman, though it is highly likely he will support Labor’s policy of January 26 for the next 4 years as the Coalition is a pairing of conservative parties.

Sydney Spectaculars will contact the Opposition Leader for clarification of his policy.

25 DAYS AFTER ELECTION NIGHT:

NSW ELECTORAL COMMISSION CONFIRMS LABOR MINORITY IN LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY, DIVIDED CROSSBENCH HOLDING BALANCE OF POWER IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

The NSW Electoral Commission finalised the election results today. The Legislative Assembly is as follows:

  • Labor – 45 districts
  • Coalition – 36 districts
  • Greens – 3 districts
  • Independent – 9 districts

This confirms Labor will be a minority government. Therefore, they will definitely need the support of at least 2 members of the Legislative Assembly to implement their policy of free entry to Government-controlled Sydney NYE vantage points.

The new half of the Legislative Council is as follows:

  • Labor – 8 seats
  • Coalition – 7 seats
  • Greens – 2 seats
  • Shooters, Fishers & Farmers – 1 seat
  • One Nation – 1 seat
  • Liberal Democrats – 1 seat
  • Legalise Cannabis – 1 seat

This makes the whole Legislative Council as follows:

  • Labor – 15 seats
  • Coalition – 15 seats
  • Greens – 4 seats
  • One Nation – 3 seats
  • Shooters, Fishers & Farmers – 2 seats
  • Animal Justice – 1 seat
  • Liberal Democrats – 1 seat
  • Legalise Cannabis – 1 seat

This means the crossbench (all parties except Labor & Coalition) will have the balance of power and will not favour one side of politics as earlier called by us. It is divided exactly 50-50.

19 DAYS AFTER ELECTION NIGHT:

LIBERAL PARTY TO DECIDE NEW OPPOSITION LEADER ON APRIL 21

The Liberal Party have announced they will decide the next Opposition Leader at a party room meeting on April 21. As always when the Coalition is in Opposition and The Liberal Party is larger than The Nationals in the Legislative Assembly, the Opposition Leader will also be the Leader of the Liberal-National Coalition and the Liberal Party. The date of Australia Day will be dependent on the new Opposition Leader, though it is highly likely that whoever is chosen will support Labor’s policy of January 26 for the next 4 years as the Coalition is a pairing of conservative parties.

2 WEEKS AFTER ELECTION NIGHT:

ANTONY GREEN FINISHES CALLING LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY DISTRICTS, GIVING LABOR 45 DISTRICTS, 2 SHORT OF A MAJORITY

Australia’s most famous psephologist, Antony Green, has finished calling the Legislative Assembly districts giving Labor 45 districts, 2 short of a majority. Therefore, they will now need the support of at least 2 members of the Legislative Assembly to implement their policy of free entry to Government-controlled Sydney NYE vantage points. The final make-up of the Legislative Assembly, as called by Antony Green, is:

  • Labor – 45 districts
  • Coalition – 36 districts
  • Greens – 3 districts
  • Independent – 8 districts

1 WEEK AFTER ELECTION NIGHT:

ANTONY GREEN CALLS THE ELECTION FOR A LABOR-LED MINORITY GOVERNMENT

Australia’s most famous psephologist, Antony Green, has called the Labor-led Government will be a minority government, being at least 1 seat short. This means the date of Australia Day will be dependent on the new Opposition Leader, though it is highly likely that whoever is chosen will support Labor’s policy of January 26 for the next 4 years as the Coalition is a pairing of conservative parties. While Labor is in Government, it cannot be as guaranteed the parliament will support their policy of free entry to Government-controlled Sydney NYE vantage points. They will need the support of at least 1 member of the Legislative Assembly.

TUESDAY AFTER ELECTION NIGHT:

MINNS LABOR NSW GOVERNMENT SWORN IN AFTER 3 ELECTED INDEPENDENTS GUARANTEE CONFIDENCE & SUPPLY

Last night, 3 elected Independent members of the Legislative Assembly gave Labor confidence and supply for a Government under them. This allowed Chris Minns as well as 4 other elected Labor Members Of Parliament to be sworn in by the Governor of NSW, Margaret Beazley, as the new Government in the position of Premier & Ministers respectively. The 3 Independents who gave confidence and supply are:

  • Alex Greenwich (District Of Sydney),
  • Greg Piper (District Of Lake Macquarie) and,
  • Joe McGirr (District Of Wagga Wagga).

Labor only currently needs 2 guarantees of confidence and supply to form a minority Government so they got, at least for now, an extra guarantee in case of a sudden change of mind. At the swearing-in ceremony, the following Labor members of Parliament(-elect) were made Ministers:

  • Prue Car (Deputy Premier & Education Minister) (District Of Londonderry),
  • Daniel Mookrey (Treasurer) (District Of NSW*),
  • Ryan Park (Health Minister) (District Of Keira),
  • Jo Haylen (Transport Minister) (District Of Summer Hill),
  • Penny Sharpe (Environment Minister) (District Of NSW*)

*Means in Legislative Council

11:08PM, ELECTION NIGHT:

LIVE BLOG NOW TO PROVIDE DAILY UPDATES AT 6PM AEDT FROM TUESDAY

We are now wrapping up our coverage of election night in New South Wales. We will now provide daily updates at 6pm from Monday as we wait for confirmation that Labor will get a majority government (Australia’s most famous psephologist, Antony Green, only said he was “confident” – not an outright call) but in the main news to arise out of election night results:

  • We have called the Legislative Council for the next 4 years to favour the left/progessive side of politics
  • NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet, will stand down as Liberal Party Parliamentary Leader, leaving the Liberal policy of the Australia Day date as on January 26 open, though it very likely will be the same policy under the new Liberal Party Parliamentary Leader as they are a conservative party.
  • Chris Minns won his seat decisively, in the biggest swing to Labor in a district this election.
  • Labor will form the next NSW Government but whether it is a majority or minority government is still to be determined, coming down to 1 seat possibly.

Hope you enjoyed our live coverage of the NSW Election results in what will determine the fate of ticket prices of NSW Government-controlled Sydney NYE vantage points and the date of Australia Day for the next 4 years. Until 6pm AEDT Tuesday, thank you for following our coverage.

10:58PM:

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CALLED (BY US)

At 36% counted, the new half of the Legislative Council currently looks like this:

  • Labor – 9 seats
  • Coalition – 7 seats
  • The Greens – 3 seats
  • One Nation – 2 seats

We are calling the new half of the Legislative Council for the above parties. Combined with the existing half of the Council, this is what the whole Legislative Council may now look like:

  • Labor – 16 seats
  • Coalition – 15 seats
  • The Greens – 5 seats
  • One Nation – 4 seats
  • Shooters, Fishers & Farmers – 1 seat
  • Animal Justice – 1 seat

While, as expected, no party got a majority in the next 4-term of the Legislative Council, we expect it to be controlled by the left/progressive side of politics, consisting of Labor, The Green & Animal Justice, who make up 22 of the 42 seats or 52% of the next 4-year term of the Legislative Council.

10:28PM:

CHRIS MINNS: “WE WILL NOT LET THEM (NSW) DOWN”

To chants of “Minns!” & “Labor!” repeatedly, the Labor Leader, Chris Minns, has walked up to the podium, after struggling to get through the crowd supporting him, to make his victory speech after a passionate introduction by the Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese. He says to NSW that “we will not let them down” and also thanks the Labor volunteers from his district of Kogarah, who helped him to victory in his marginal district.

10:03PM:

NSW PREMIER WILL STAND DOWN AS LIBERAL PARTY PARLIAMENTARY LEADER

The NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet, announced he will stand down as Parliamentary Leader of the Liberal Party. This leaves open the question of the Liberal Party’s policy of keeping Australia Day on January 26 as Dominic Perrottet personally committed to another 4 years of January 26 as Australia Day. While the new Parliamentary Liberal Party Leader will have to clarify their position on the Australia Day date, it is very likely to be the same as Dominic’s position as their party is a conservative party.

9:51PM:

NSW PREMIER – CHRIS MINNS “TO BE A FINE 47TH PREMIER”

On the verge of tears and looking gutted while his faithful chant “Dom!” repeatedy, the NSW Premier begins his concession speech confirming his call to Opposition Leader, Chris Minns, to concede the election while saying Chris Minns will “be a fine 47th Premier” over the next 4 years.

9:48PM:

NSW PREMIER ARRIVES TO MAKE CONCESSION SPEECH

NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet, has arrived to make his concession speech.

9:44PM:

NSW PREMIER “A COUPLE OF MINUTES” AWAY FROM ARRIVING TO MAKE HIS CONCESSION SPEECH

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation‘s David Speers has reported that NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet, is “a couple of minutes” away from arriving to make his concession speech.

9:01PM:

NSW PREMIER CALLS OPPOSITION LEADER TO CONCEDE THE ELECTION

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation‘s Sarah Ferguson has reported that NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet has called Opposition Leader, Chris Minns, to concede the election to him.

8:56PM:

CHRIS MINNS ARRIVES TO MAKE HIS VICTORY SPEECH

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation‘s David Speers has reported that Labor Leader, Chris Minns, has arrived to make his victory speech.

8:46PM:

CHRIS MINNS ON WAY TO VICTORY SPEECH

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation‘s Sarah Ferguson has reported that Labor Leader, Chris Minns, has left his house on the way to make his victory speech.

8:42PM:

ANTONY GREEN SAYS HE IS “CONFIDENT” A LABOR-LED GOVERNMENT WILL BE A MAJORITY GOVERNMENT

Australia’s most famous psephologist, Antony Green, says he is “confident” a Labor-led Government will be a majority government. However, he says it still depends on the final makeup of seats won as it could come down to 1 seat’s difference.

8:27PM:

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL UPDATE

At 1% counted, the new half of the Legislative Council currently looks like this:

  • Coalition – 8 seats
  • Labor – 8 seats
  • The Greens – 3 seats
  • One Nation – 1 seat
  • Shooters, Fishers & Farmers – 1 seat

This is still too early to call the Council, however that is the current state of play. Combined with the existing half of the Council, this is what the whole Legislative Council looks like:

  • Coalition – 16 seats
  • Labor – 15 seats
  • The Greens – 5 seats
  • One Nation – 3 seats
  • Shooters, Fishers & Farmers – 2 seats
  • Animal Justice – 1 seat

8:24PM:

NSW PREMIER LOSING GROUND IN HIS DISTRICT

At 29% counted, the NSW Premier is currently leading his district of Epping with 48% of the current votes counted, dropping 1% on the last update we provided. This is still too early to call this seat, though it is a safe seat for Dominic Perrottet. However, he is still on a very fine margin on 1st preferences, still meaning he will currently have to rely on preferences, which will be a bit difficult when the other parties in his seat are Labor, The Greens, Sustainable Australia, Animal Justice & an independent (who has 3% of the vote). Whether the NSW Premier wins his own seat is still up for debate.

8:19PM:

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL UPDATE

At 0.6% counted, the new half of the Legislative Council currently looks like this:

  • Coalition – 8 seats
  • Labor – 8 seats
  • The Greens – 3 seats
  • One Nation – 1 seat
  • Shooters, Fishers & Farmers – 1 seat

This is still too early to call the Council, however that is the current state of play. Combined with the existing half of the Council, this is what the whole Legislative Council looks like:

  • Coalition – 16 seats
  • Labor – 15 seats
  • The Greens – 5 seats
  • One Nation – 3 seats
  • Shooters, Fishers & Farmers – 2 seats
  • Animal Justice – 1 seat

8:16PM:

NSW PREMIER GOES BACK UNDER 50% OF 1ST PREFERENCES IN HIS DISTRICT

At 24% counted, the NSW Premier is currently leading his district of Epping with 49% of the current votes counted. This is still too early to call this seat, though it is a safe seat for Dominic Perrottet. However, he is still on a very fine margin on 1st preferences, still meaning he will currently have to rely on preferences, which will be a bit difficult when the other parties in his seat are Labor, The Greens, Sustainable Australia, Animal Justice & an independent (who has 3% of the vote). Whether the NSW Premier wins his own seat is still up for debate.

8:10PM:

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL UPDATE

At 0.4% counted, the new half of the Legislative Council currently looks like this:

  • Coalition – 8 seats
  • Labor – 7 seats
  • The Greens – 3 seats
  • One Nation – 2 seats
  • Shooters, Fishers & Farmers – 1 seat

This is still too early to call the Council, however that is the current state of play. Combined with the existing half of the Council, this is what the whole Legislative Council looks like:

  • Coalition – 16 seats
  • Labor – 14 seats
  • The Greens – 5 seats
  • One Nation – 4 seats
  • Shooters, Fishers & Farmers – 2 seats
  • Animal Justice – 1 seat

7:59PM:

NSW PREMIER BACK OVER 50% OF 1ST PREFERENCES IN HIS DISTRICT

At 14% counted, the NSW Premier is currently leading his district of Epping with 51% of the current votes counted. This is still too early to call this seat, though it is a safe seat for Dominic Perrottet. However, he is still on a very fine margin on 1st preferences, still meaning he will currently have to rely on preferences, which will be a bit difficult when the other parties in his seat are Labor, The Greens, Sustainable Australia, Animal Justice & an independent (who has 3% of the vote). Things have improved for him nevertheless.

7:52PM:

ANTONY GREEN CALLS THE ELECTION FOR A LABOR-LED GOVERNMENT

Australia’s most famous psephologist, Antony Green, has called a Labor-led Government and that the Coalition is unable to form Government. However, he has not called whether Labor will form a majority or minority government.

7:45PM:

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL UPDATE

At 0.1% counted, the new half of the Legislative Council currently looks like this:

  • Coalition – 8 seats
  • Labor – 8 seats
  • The Greens – 3 seats
  • One Nation – 1 seat
  • Shooters, Fishers & Farmers – 1 seat

This is still too early to call the Council, however that is the current state of play. Combined with the existing half of the Council, this is what the whole Legislative Council looks like:

  • Coalition – 16 seats
  • Labor – 15 seats
  • The Greens – 5 seats
  • One Nation – 3 seats
  • Shooters, Fishers & Farmers – 2 seats
  • Animal Justice – 1 seat

7:37PM:

WE’RE CALLING THE DISTRICT OF KOGARAH FOR CHRIS MINNS

At 9% counted, the Opposition Leader and Labor Leader, Chris Minns, is leading on 57% of the vote. We believe he will hold onto the district, which was a marginal one. Last election, he won with 42% of 1st preferences so we are calling the district of Kogarah for Labor & Chris Minns so he he will be leading his party in some form in the next Parliament.

Important to note, Antony Green, Australia’s most famous psephologist has not called the district.

7:31PM:

NSW PREMIER UNDER 50% ON 1ST PREFERENCE IN HIS DISTRICT

At 5% counted, the NSW Premier is currently leading his district of Epping with 48% of the current votes counted. This is still too early to call this seat, though it is a safe seat for Dominic Perrottet. However, being now under 50% on 1st preferences means he will currently have to rely on preferences, which will be a bit difficult when the other parties in his seat are Labor, The Greens, Sustainable Australia, Animal Justice & an independent (who has 3% of the vote).

7:20PM:

FIRST RESULTS FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAVE COME THROUGH.

At 0.02% counted, the new half of the Legislative Council currently looks like this:

  • Coalition – 9 seats
  • Labor – 8 seats
  • The Greens – 3 seats
  • One Nation – 1 seat

This is still too early to call the Council, however that is the current state of play. Combined with the existing half of the Council, this is what the whole Legislative Council looks like:

  • Coalition – 17 seats
  • Labor – 15 seats
  • The Greens – 5 seats
  • One Nation – 3 seats
  • Shooters, Fishers & Farmers – 1 seat
  • Animal Justice – 1 seat

7:06PM:

FIRST RESULTS FROM NSW PREMIER’S DISTRICT HAVE COME THROUGH.

At 1% counted, the NSW Premier is currently leading his district of Epping with 57% of the current votes counted. This is still too early to call this seat, though it is a safe seat for Dominic Perrottet.

6:20PM:

1ST COUNTED VOTES HAVE COME THROUGH

They are from the district of Clarence but as they are early figures, there are not enough to make a final judgement on that seat yet.

6PM:

POLLS HAVE CLOSED

The polls have closed everywhere in New South Wales. First results expected at 6:30pm AEDT.

NSW Election 2023: Premier & Labor Declare, If Elected, No Change Of Australia Day Date Until At Least March 2027

Last Wednesday at 12pm, during an hour-long debate on 7 News for the upcoming New South Wales election, both the NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet & Opposition Leader, Chris Minns, declared that if they or Labor respectively are elected during the next 4-year term of NSW Parliament, they will not try to change the date of Australia Day in New South Wales. Whilst this may seem local news to 1 state of Australia, the significance of their statements is important nationally due to the origins and nature of how Australia Day is celebrated.

Transcript:

Amelia Brace (7 News State Political Reporter/Debate Moderator): Mr Minns, would you change the date of Australia Day?

Chris Minns (Opposition Leader, Labor, District Of Kogarah): No, we’re not going to have any plans to do that.

Amelia Brace (7 News State Political Reporter/Debate Moderator): Mr Perrottet?

Dominic Perrottet (Premier, Coalition, Liberal, District Of Epping): No.

End Of Transcript

Above is the transcript of the moment in the debate when the date of Australia Day arose (49:23 mark). The language of both men is telling. Chris Minns, with more confidence, committed his party and for the full 4-year term to the position he stated by acknowledging “we’re not going to have any plans to do that” while Dominic, staying true to instructions given by the moderator, Amelia Brace, less than 23 seconds prior to keep their answers to “a simple yes or no”, gave a definite “no” but his was a more personal committment (due to the segment being about the individual politicians, not party), leaving the possibility open that a change of leadership in the Coalition may also bring a change in policy, though this is unlikely given their party is on the conservative side of politics.

The NSW Election comprises of 2 elections, 1 for the Legislative Assembly, the other for the Legislative Council. There are 42 seats in the Legislative Council, half of which are being contested at this election, where the whole state acts as 1 electoral district and is proportionally represented while the Legislative Assembly has 93 electoral districts, all being contested at the election, each district representing geographically 1/93rd of the New South Wales electorate population. If a political party wins 47 districts of the Legislative Assembly, the New South Wales Governor, Margaret Beazley, will ask the leader of that political party in the Legislative Assembly to form Government.

In the Legislative Council, regardless of the election result (as half of the seats are not up for re-election), the following political parties are already represented:

  • Coalition (8 seats, 5 Liberal, 3 Nationals),
  • Labor (7 seats),
  • Greens (2 seats),
  • One Nation (2 seats),
  • Shooters, Fishers & Farmers (1 seat) and,
  • Animal Justice (1 seat)

The final composition of the Legislative Assembly & Council will be important in determining nationally what the date of Australia Day is, as despite the date to be considered but some as the ‘national’ day of Australia, it is actually up to the 6 states to decide the date.

In NSW, it comes under the Public Holidays Act 2010, last amended on 13 January 2023 to rename the ‘Queen’s Birthday’ as the ‘King’s Birthday’ following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.

The Federal Parliament only has the power to control the date of public holidays in relation to ‘conciliation and arbitration for the prevention and settlement of industrial disputes extending beyond the limits of any one State’ by Section 51 subsection (35) of the Australian Constitution Of Australia. This is currently dealt with under the Fair Work Act 2009. However, the Federal Parliament already do control the date for the territories under Section 122 of the Australian Constitution (Government of Territories).

While the Federal Parliament can change the date for territories and for workplace relations purposes and while all other states can independently change the date, given it is supposed to be a national day, a nation-wide change is required to keep unity on what is already a very divisive date. NSW holds significant political sway on the date as the date of Australia Day is currently on January 26, which was chosen to commemorate the 1788 landing of the 1st Fleet at Sydney Cove, which is in NSW. It should be pointed out that the raising of the Union Jack & the proclamation of the penal colony of NSW took place nearly 2 weeks later on the 7th of February.

Australia could place control of public holidays under the Australian Parliament if a constitutional referendum was held to alter the constitution to give the Australian Parliament that power though. But until that happens, if it does, if NSW does not want the date changed, it will put pressure on the other states to maintain the status quo. The Federal Parliament does hold nearly equal political influence but as the states control the date, they need the cooperation of NSW and with both the Premier & Labor saying they will not change the date of Australia Day in NSW if elected, this will likely mean the date will not change until March 2027 at the earliest, which is when the next NSW election will be held due to fixed 4-year terms.

However, an early election can be called by the NSW Governor:

  • at any time under established constitutional convention or,
  • if the budget is failed to be passed by the Legislative Assembly or,
  • if a no-confidence vote (with 3 days’ notice) succeeds in the Legislative Assembly & no confidence votes pass in the next 8 days in the Legislative Assembly or,
  • within 2 months of term expiration if the legislated election date is ‘inconvenient’

However, 4 years is a long time and in the past year, the public opinion on the date swayed significantly to ‘change’ with many high-profile businesses such as supermarket giant Woolworths and the Federal Government allowing employees to decide when to take their ‘Australia Day’ public holiday.

This followed the Chief Executive Officer of the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council, Yuseph Deen, writing in December 2022 to the Commonwealth Employment Minister, Tony Burke & the NSW Employee Relations Minister as well as major Australian Stock Exchange companies to provide employees with this option.

We believe the business community can lead the way and make a stance by allowing employees the choice and the flexibility and instead taking the day off at a mutually agreeable time.

Many businesses, big and small, have already taken the lead. At NSW Aboriginal Land Council, we gave our staff this option last year and we’re calling on you to do the same.

This approach allows businesses to act in a way that reflects their principles, while also sending a statement to all levels of Government. Instead of another year of fuelling hatred and division, we are making the changes that are needed by honouring the world’s oldest living culture.

New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council Chief Executive Officer, Yuseph Deen

With such a significant shift in public opinion in the space of a year and despite it only being an ‘option’ so far, with momentum growing every year to ‘change’, the position of Labor & the Premier, as stated in the debate, is a surprise given the 4-year commitment and the fact that the economics of allowing employees to choose the date they celebrate ‘Australia Day’ will eventually cause an economic mess.

Whilst providing employees the option to work on January 26 provides that date more economic security, the alternate date the employees choose to mark the public holiday, whatever it is (though likely sometime else around that time period) might mean there will eventually be 1 day of the year when there is a lack of employees running essential services and selling essential products at shops despite people needing these things because they are on holiday like fuel & transportation services.

While this may be not a problem currently, the more people choosing a day other than January 26 to celebrate Australia Day, the increasing lack of certainty of when employers or the Government will have employees to operate essential services or sell essential products will eventually cause the political pressure to be overwhelmed if the Parliament is still blind to the obvious public opinion at that late stage, which again makes the Premier & Labor’s decision to commit for 4 years to be very risky, let alone surprising.

If the Parliament still refuses to change the date and employers run out of employees to operate essential services and sell essential items on that 1 unknown day of the year just mentioned, employers may have to make the unethical but Parliament-forced decision to ask some of their employees to take their public holiday on January 26, which could lead to not just the most significant Survival/Invasion Day protests in history but one of the largest industrial relations disputes in Australian history.

The date of Australia Day, January 26, is controversial as it marks the beginning of the loss of full sovereignty and self-determination for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people & nations with the landing of the British Empire’s 1st Fleet at Sydney Cove. More about the date’s controversy can be found at the bottom of our 2019 article speculating the rise of ‘Australia Day In Sydney’ as a ‘Sydney Spectacular’ here.

Recently, people have claimed that 26 January was chosen to mark the anniversary of the 1st day of Australian citizenship, 26 January 1949, rather than the anniversary of the 1st Fleet’s landing at Sydney Cove. However, this view ignores what the Minister For Information & Immigration, Arthur Calwell, said in his 2nd reading speech in 1948 that introduced the Nationality & Citizenship Bill that created Australian citizenship:

When this bill becomes an act, it will be proclaimed on Australia Day, the 26tb of January, 1949.

Minister For Information & Immigration, Arthur Calwell

In 1948 and in the present, ‘Australia Day’ was the national successor to New South Wales’ ‘1st Landing Day’ or ‘Anniversary Day’ public holiday that marked the anniversary of the 1st Fleet’s landing at Sydney Cove. Also, to reinforce the reason Arthur Calwell chose that date, between the 1930’s and 1987, ‘Australia Day’ was celebrated on the Monday during a long weekend near the 26th of January, which in 1949 was on Monday the 24th of January. Arthur Calwell, therefore, particularly wanted it Australian citizenship to begin on the exact anniversary of the 1st Fleet’s landing.

With the controversy and growing divide, debate and historical negationism, the decision of the Premier & Labor is a significant roadblock for the Indigenous people of Australia. In a statement to Sydney Spectaculars, the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council said:

The New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) is disappointed neither of the major political parties has committed during the NSW State election campaign to changing the date of Australia Day.

NSWALC strongly believes that momentum will continue to build to change the date of Australia Day, and we will continue to advocate for Australia Day to be held on a different date than January 26.

NSWALC believes the business community can show similar leadership and courage by taking a stand on this important issue.

New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council

Every year we are sick of the divisive debate around celebrating Australia Day on January 26 – the day that represents the invasion and dispossession of Aboriginal lands, and the beginning of colonisation.

We know a growing number of Australians are also uncomfortable with celebrating Australia Day on January 26 and want a different day celebrated to reflect our inclusive society.

Councillor Danny Chapman, New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council Chair

In late 2023, in what will be the 40th year of the NSW Aboriginal Land Rights Act, a federal referendum will also be held on whether to both recognise Indigenous people in the Australian Constitution & to add a First Nations Voice.

The NSW Election is already being contested on other matters relating to Sydney Spectaculars. Labor announced just before New Year’s Eve last year that, if elected, they will make all government-controlled Sydney NYE vantage points free of charge. The Premier responded to Labor’s announcement by saying it’s “simply embarrassing” and implied he will maintain the status quo. You can read more about that here.

The New South Wales Election is held on Saturday the 25th of March between 8am & 6pm. Pre-polls open tomorrow (Saturday the 18th of March) at 9am.

‘Sydney Spectaculars’ will be covering live the NSW State Election from 6pm AEDT, 25 March in rare coverage of a non-‘Sydney Spectacular’ event.

Natural Ideas This Vivid Sydney 2023

Vivid Ideas 2023 will see the return of the Up Late series, the 2nd relocation of the historically main event, the Vivid Ideas Exchange, as well as the 2023 headline event: LIFE & MARS: The Future Of Human by renowed British author, Jeanette Winterson (pictured above).

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The Up Late series that began last year returns in 2023 but at less venues with less events, roughly half the size. In 2022, 4 venues were included:

  • The Museum Of Contemporary Art (x 1 event),
  • The Australian National Maritime Museum (x 1 event),
  • Australian Museum (x 5 events) and,
  • Powerhouse Museum (x 3 events).

Only the latter two, the Australian Museum and the Powerhouse Museum are returning for 2023 with 2 & 3 events respectively.

The Australian Museum will host:

The Powerhouse Museum will host:

All the above events are held for 4 hours from 5pm (the 90-minute Australian Museum talks begin at 6:30pm). With the exception of Natural Wonder (whose entry price cannot yet be confirmed) all events are free with Australian Museum events also requiring registration (though seating is limited on a 1st-come, 1st-served basis)

Paradise Fair is about artist Yuki Kihara’s exhibition, Paradise Camp, while Natural Wonder is about how design can be inspired by nature. Similarly, Pearls Of Wisdom is about how food has shaped the Australian identity and cuisine.

Over at the Australian Museum, What Can We Learn From Nature? features ecologist, Tim Low, Vivid Light 2022 artist, Leila Jeffreys and spirtual teacher, David Gandleman discuss how the relationship between humans and the wider natural world can be mutually beneficial if you put your mind to it. If you are surprised by what you learn at that event, you’ll be surprised to hear Australian First Nations people have doing that for millennia so check out their perspective at Connection To Country. That’s the Up Late series.

In 2023, the historically main event of Vivid Ideas, the Vivid Ideas Exchange, will relocate to the Telstra Customer Insights Centre at 400 George Street. After being at the Museum Of Contemporary Act since inception, the Exchange relocated to the University Of Technology Sydney in 2022 and has relocated again in 2023 & has shrunk to a 3rd of its size since last year, now hosting 20 sessions. The 2023 events are below:

The above events’ prices vary between events but most are no more than $30. Some free events require registration.

The headline event, though, of Vivid Ideas 2023 is LIFE & MARS: The Future Of Human. Held by renowed British author, Jeanette Winterson, in this event, through humour, she will reflect on philosophical questions to help us understand nature. This event will be held at Sydney Town Hall for one-night only on Saturday 3 June for 75 minutes at 4pm (Doors open at 3:15pm) & costs $58-$68.

The event will begin with an address by Jeanette Winterson before an interview is conducted with her by writer-broadcaster, Richard Fidler.

That’s Vivid Ideas 2023 – an event to question nature by exploring new ideas of nature.

Vivid Ideas 2023 challenges our ‘natural’ ways of thinking, whether by shining a spotlight on underrepresented communities, offering cultural counterpoints to the mainstream, or creating one-of-a-kind immersive experiences.

Bringing together the world’s brightest minds and creative leaders, Vivid Ideas will ask difficult questions, feature talks from global storytellers and creative minds and allow audiences to challenge the status quo, explore human nature and ask: what can we learn from nature? Join us at Vivid Ideas and be part of the conversation.

Vivid Ideas Curator, Tory Loudon