Splendour in the Grass

Splendour in the Grass is a major music festival held annually in New South Wales, Australia. The event is currently newsworthy due to ongoing legal proceedings concerning unlawful strip-searches conducted by police on festival-goers. In May 2025, the state of NSW admitted to unlawfully strip-searching an individual in 2018 at the festival. This admission followed a class action lawsuit brought by affected individuals. The state is now appealing a ruling, arguing that police have the authority to use force to move body parts during strip-searches. This legal battle highlights significant concerns about police conduct and civil liberties at large public gatherings, with the court's decision having implications for future policing practices at festivals and other events.