The organisation behind the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras will rescind heavily discounted Bondi Beach Party tickets from those who cannot provide proof they were eligible for a program only meant for use by First Nations people and concession card holders.
In a statement on its social media just after 8pm on Monday, Mardi Gras said it had become aware that a unique ticketing code was circulated online on Sunday night and used to access Bondi Beach Party tickets for a cheaper price.
The discounted tickets provide more than a 77.4 per cent discount to the people for which they are intended.
Instead of costing $242.95, the discounted tickets are sold for $54.95.
“Under our 2024 MobTix and Affordability Program, First Nations and eligible Concession Card holders could enter a ballot to access $49+BF priced tickets to select Festival events,” Mardi Gras said.
“This unique code was intended for a single transaction by one successful entrant. However, it was shared and used to complete multiple transactions in a short period of time before it was spotted and rectified.
“Ticketholders who used this code and did not register for the Affordability Program will be contacted in the coming days to provide proof of concession.
“Failure to do so will result in the order being cancelled to allow for remaining applicants to access them.”
On Sunday night, Gay Sydney News saw multiple Instagram users share the code to their story on Instagram.
It comes after a coupon code circulated widely during WorldPride that offered a 66.7 per cent discount to the Rainbow Republic closing concert featuring Ava Max and Kim Petras on the day of the event.
Most people had purchased the tickets for $135. However, the discount code “MERCH” gave “late arrival” buyers access to $45 tickets.
A poll of GSN readers on the day found 151 people didn’t care about the discount being offered, 107 were mad about it, and 31 were undecided about the situation.
Editor’s note: Ben Grubb pays a $50 annual fee for access to Mardi Gras membership discounts.
Ben Grubb is the founder and editor of Gay Sydney News, an independent publication covering LGBTQIA+ news. A journalist with more than 15 years' experience, he has reported and edited for The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, WAToday, Brisbane Times, The Australian Financial Review, News.com.au, ZDNet, TelecomTimes and iTnews, primarily on the topic of technology. He previously hosted The Informer, a queer current affairs program on Melbourne’s JOY 94.9 radio station, and contributes to LGBTQIA+ media including Stun Magazine. Ben has also appeared as a technology commentator on Channel Ten's The Project, ABC RN’s Download This Show and commercial radio stations 2UE, 2GB and 6PR. Contact Ben: ben.grubb@gaysydneynews.com.au
