Australia's meter maids are considering a proposal by the Gold Coast Tourism to move south, but have been told they need to cover up as their gold bikinis are "inappropriate" for business.
According to the Australian, Gold Coast Tourism spokesman Ben Pole said they were glad to help the maids, who had fallen on tough times after they were prevented from selling their calendars, keyrings and stubbie-holders.
However, if the authority were to begin sending them interstate, he said, they would need to fit in.
"If they're providing information to visitors on the beachfront, it's entirely appropriate for them to be wearing bikinis," News.com.au quoted him as saying.
"If they're at the Melbourne Convention Centre, that's probably not appropriate attire," he said.
Meter maid Pernilla Eriksson said the demand was "ridiculous".
"Bikinis have been on the Gold Coast for over 50 years. Why wouldn't you use them to promote the Gold Coast?" she stated.
Meter Maids chief Roberta Aitchison said she was keen to do a deal with the tourism authority.
"We will cover up to a certain extent, but we won't cover up completely. Otherwise it's a pointless exercise," Aitchison, who is a former meter maid, said.
"We need to keep it sexy and summery and you don't really do that in a corporate outfit - you do that in a bikini," she added.
