Key Points
- NSW police commissioner Karen Webb has said there will "always be haters" when rejecting leadership criticism.
- Webb was responding to scrutiny about the police handling of the alleged murder of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies.
- NSW Police have been asked by Mardi Gras organisers not to participate in this year's march.
NSW police commissioner Karen Webb has borrowed words from Taylor Swift to reject leadership criticism after a serving officer was .
Webb has faced scrutiny for taking three days to respond to senior constable Beau Lamarre-Condon being charged with the murder of former Network Ten presenter Jesse Baird, and Baird's new partner, Luke Davies.
When questioned about her performance and leadership on the Seven Network's Sunrise, Webb doubled down and said there would always be "haters".
"There will always be haters. Haters like to hate. Isn't that what Taylor says?" she said on Tuesday morning.
"I have a job to do. It is a big job. This is just one of many. We actually had seven murders last week. We had a triple murder last week ... This, though, of course, is a complex matter."
She also defended her earlier choice of words when she described the murder as a "crime of passion" on Monday.
"What it is, is a domestic violence, stalking and murder," she told Today.
"What I was intending is to say that it's actually not a gay hate crime and not to be confused with the special commission of inquiry (into gay LGBTIQ+ hate crimes) and the results of that, because this is different."
Response to NSW Police being uninvited from Mardi Gras
On Monday night, Mardi Gras organisers asked NSW Police not to march at this year's parade, which will take place on Saturday.
A Mardi Gras spokesperson said the decision to uninvite NSW Police was "not made lightly", and the board believed it was necessary to avoid distress and allow the LGBTIQ+ community to grieve.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese responded to the decision on Tuesday morning.
"I think it's been very good that the police have marched, it's come a long way. But I understand the queer community in Sydney in particular are grieving an enormous tragedy," he told ABC.
An image that resurfaced last week shows Lamarre-Condon participating in the 2020 Mardi Gras parade — a fact a Mardi Gras spokesperson pointed to in a statement outlining its decision.
Beau Lamarre-Condon pictured taking part in the Mardi Gras parade in 2020 Source: AAP / James Gourley
"They want to be a part of it. But they want to feel welcomed. And I think it's important that this time particularly we all should be united," she said.
"We're dealing with a matter that is ... It's not a gay hate crime. We are dealing with a domestic violence ... We're dealing with a murder that is before the court."
She said she accepted the decision but would meet with the members of the board on Tuesday.
If you or someone you know is impacted by family and domestic violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732, or visit . In an emergency, call 000.
LGBTIQ+ Australians seeking support with mental health can contact QLife on 1800 184 527 or visit . also has a list of support services.
