The Gold Coast's iconic meter maids, famous for their flowing locks and gold bikinis, have accused Commonwealth Games organisers of booting them off the streets during the competition.
The scantily clad women have been a feature of the Australian holiday hotspot since the 1960s, topping up parking meters to help beach-goers avoid fines. But trouble is brewing in paradise and meter maids chief Roberta Aitchison has slammed Games organisers for allegedly preventing her staff from working.
"The Commonwealth Games for the meter maids has been a bullying experience," the 63-year-old told AFP.
"The meter maids have been around for 53 years and are iconic to the whole of the Gold Coast. We add that little bit of sex appeal, glitz and glamour to the beautiful beaches," added Aitchison.
"(The organisers) have directed the council to get us off the streets. We feel a little bit like homeless people." Games chief organiser Peter Beattie denied the claims about the meter maids, who were once employed by local authorities but have now shifted to a more commercial role.
But the meter maids have been banned from asking for donations while posing for photos with tourists -- income that helped them feed the parking meters. Games officials have also been seen shooing meter maids away from the beach at Surfers Paradise since the Games began on April 4.
"They've made it a suppressed Games," fumed Aitchison, a meter maid herself back in the eighties.
"There's more policemen here than there are athletes and tourists." The meter maids were also miffed Games organisers chose not to include them in the opening ceremony.
"We should have been part of it because we're part of the history but we were told we're not welcome," Aitchison said. "It's a slap in the face."
- 'Monty Python' -
==================
"They threatened legal action. Then to turn around and complain (about being left out), that's a bit silly -- it's like Monty Python."
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content