Dawn Fraser's Parking battle

As reported in the Sydney Morning Herald's Spike back-cover column last week, Dawn Fraser has recently been accused of securing a disabled parking spot inappropriately.

The swimming great was attacked in the tabloid press yesterday because she has a disabled spot outside her home. The Daily Telegraph said neighbours said she "used her profile as a national treasure" to secure the place.

Apparently the spot was approved nine years ago, raising suspicions that the timing of the revelation might be Board Election-related. Furthermore, she was "advised by her doctor to apply" for the spot.

Kinda sounds like your typically well-researched Telegraph story doesn't it? Friend of political game-players of all stripes.

In an interesting post-script to this incident, tie-ing it into our recent exploration of the policies of the candidates and groups relating to petrol prices, Dawn was supposedly kept inside her home by the scrum of media outside, preventing her from attending a press conference where she was to announce her policy platform to get the NRMA into petrol retailing. Members would receive a four cents/litre discount from a network of NRMA-affiliated independent petrol stations (independents make up 60% of the petrol stations in NSW, according to Dawn's Team's website). There's much more to it, with these stations effectively becoming NRMA member centre's with a range of services and discounts.