REMEMBER WHEN

GOLD COAST BULLETIN Monday, April 24, 2006

THEY fought for our freedom, but Gold Coast Diggers still had to pay a price – $2 an hour – to attend Anzac Day services.

The war heroes became the latest victims of the council’s controversial parking meters, with businesses and lifesavers already suffering from the price hike.

The Bulletin understood that parking inspectors would be patrolling areas in Southport where the cost of parking has risen by 500 per cent.

The controversial new scheme did not exempt public holidays.

The move outraged and upset Gold Coast exservicemen and RSL members, with many describing it as unAustralian, disrespectful and bloody minded.

“It’s bloody ridiculous,” said Slim Boese, who served in World War II. “We didn’t fight to be rewarded by this country, but we might have been wrong in thinking we would get respect for it.

“To charge people on Anzac Day is pathetic.”

Gold Coast District RSL president Glen Mylne said the council would be treating Anzac Day as a revenue raiser.

“It is absolutely outrageous,” he said. “It is totally unprincipled to use this day as a revenue raiser.’’

Up to 4000 people were expected to pack Southport RSL after the dawn and 9am marches, but the club could accommodate only 330 cars.

The only parking alternative was Australia Fair, where only half the car park was open from noon. Senior vice-president of Southport RSL sub-branch Trevor McGrath said he would warn Diggers and their families about potential parking fines.