Sydney woman in bikini told to wear shorts at Zetland unit pool
The security firm behind overzealous guards who lambast residents of a Zetland unit block for sunbathing in skimpy bikinis has ordered staff not to enforce strict poolside rules.
NSW
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The security firm behind overzealous guards who lambast residents of a Sydney apartment block for sunbathing in skimpy bikinis today ordered staff not to enforce strict poolside rules.
Constant security managers have sent a directive to staff patrolling Emerald Park development in Zetland while a sensitive investigation into a complaint is under way.
Staff have been told they are not allowed to enforce poolside rules, other than rowdiness, drunkenness and glasses being used in the vicinity of the three swimming pools.
Consultant Kristy Miller, 39, complained to building management she was repeatedly ordered by a guard to put on shorts while sunbathing in a “cheeky” bikini because she was breaking strata rules by exposing too much backside.
On Thursday morning, Prime Minister Scott Morrison was asked for his thoughts on the stoush.
Mr Morrison told 2GB radio he was not aware of the situation but did not think there were any rules stopping Ms Miller.
“I thought they always could (wear what they want) I was not aware that any of that had been constricted,” he said.
“I’m surprised that it even applied. I tell you what though, as the father of daughters I might have some dress standards and conditions, but that’s for the family.
Ms Miller told The Daily Telegraph she challenged the zealous security guard who told her to cover up, complaining “this is Australia, not a Muslim country”.
“I wouldn’t mind if I was in a G-string but I wasn’t, I was in a perfectly respectable cheeky bottoms,” said Ms Miller. “I was mortified, he was ogling my bottom the whole time, he should have been checking to see if people were drinking alcohol but he had nothing better to do than pick on women.”
Ms Miller said she believed the guard was of Middle Eastern descent but admitted she did not know if he was Muslim. However she said: “Who is a security guard of Middle Eastern descent to tell me what I can and cannot wear?”
“I pay $600 a week to live here, I should be able to wear whatever bikini I like. He never asked guys why they were in budgie smugglers and let’s face it they don’t leave much to the imagination.”
The row escalated when another resident approached to assist the 39-year-old, revealing a similar argument had blown up on the rooftop pool between the same guard and his wife over her alleged skimpy bikini wear.
Since raising concerns in a local community group, Ms Miller has been supported by more than 20 residents complaining of an over-zealous building management team.
Resident Natalie Allen wrote: “I’ve been living in the block for less than a year and I have been told off three times for not having my backside appropriately covered.”
Another, Sophie Abbott, complained to management after a security guard was “aggressive” asking her to change when she was in a normal bikini.
She has been banned from sunbathing.
Jayson Hoban said he found the enforcement of building strata rules inflexible and blamed culture differences for ongoing security guard harassment. In a terse email exchange between Ms Miller and the Emerald Park building manager she complained “This is Australia, not a Muslim country,” to which he replied: “I hope you won’t mention the Muslim word again.”
Building management staff said yesterday they were reviewing CCTV and would take action if necessary “which includes termination”.
The row has echoes of Bondi Beach controversies in the 60s, when legendary beach inspector Aub Laidlaw carried a ruler to measure bikinis to ensure they met with council size regulations. If they didn’t women were told to leave the sand.