This is a parking meter. When you park on the side of the road in a busy place you put coins in the slot underneath the yellow label there, twist that silver knob you see there and you get up to an hour (depending on how much you pay) to do your business then get back to your car to either put more money in the slot or drive away.

Sometimes you'll see Council employees called Parking Patrol Officers strolling along the road, whistling a little tune then quickly marking certain car tyres with white chalk. They're waiting for that little red flag to pop up then - ping!- a little white piece of paper with "You owe us $55" appears on your windscreen of your vehicle.

No, it hasn't happened to me. I never drive into the city.

Believe it or not, if you do not pay your parking fine a warrant will be issued for your arrest. If you still do not pay your fine, there's a good chance you will be placed in the general prison population. Yes, that's right, these days you don't have to rob a bank or attempt to overthrow the government in order to experience the facilities at Brisbane Correctional Centre ('prison' is so passe).