Federal election 2022: Controversial independent candidate Jo Dyer embroiled in bizarre ‘disabled parking bay’ row

A high-profile candidate caught in a row after appearing to stop in a disabled park may not have been spotted by the only person who mattered. See the pictures.

A controversial independent candidate for the state’s most marginal federal seat will escape a fine despite admitting to briefly stopping in a disabled park.

Jo Dyer, who is in a bitter three-way fight for the southern Adelaide seat of Boothby, became embroiled in the bizarre parking row on the hustings on Monday.

Ms Dyer, who last month faced a dual-citizenship debacle, was photographed outside her self-promotional Toyota HiAce van in an empty disabled bay.

She claimed she stopped in for just 40 seconds at the Daw Park booth, located at the Colonel Light Gardens Uniting Church on Goodwood Rd.

Independent candidate for Boothby Jo Dyer is accused of parking in a disabled parking bay. Picture: supplied

Despite an empty normal bay in front. Picture: supplied

But disability advocates say the time didn’t matter.

Equality Lawyers founder Natalie Wade said such a move showed a “blatant disregard” for the disabled and it was “irrelevant” how long you stayed.

“People who think it is appropriate to stop or stay in a disabled permit park speaks volumes at how they perceive people with a disability in the community,” she said.

Under local laws, the car park is considered a private area. The Private Parking Areas Act states that to enforce the law, the car park must have at least one sign along with lines that clearly show it as a disabled zone.

Ms Dyer left the bay after less than a minute. She angrily denied she had “parked” there. Picture: Supplied

Jo Dyer with her van. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

A Mitcham Council spokeswoman said the area “currently has no signs to show the designated disability parking space as required under the Act that would allow Council or other enforcement agencies to enforce/issue fines”.

“To ensure fairness and consistency, council only issues fines for illegal parking when an authorised Council officer is present at the time of the offence,” she said.

A police spokesman declined to comment.

Ms Dyer, 51, declined to comment.

She had said she would be “disappointed” if the issue was reported that destroyed the electorate’s “collegiate” atmosphere.