I'm an elitist. I frequently enjoy lattes, chardonnay, Surry Hills and leftism. These are all good things and should be partaken with a great degree of hubris. However, I object to this new wave of ''parking elitism'' sweeping the city.

In Chatswood last week, I noticed that Westfield had reserved a number of parking spaces for ''hybrid vehicles only''. They weren't just any old parking spaces either; they were practically inside the entrance, paved in an elitist green hue and, naturally, empty.

Meanwhile, the commoners were left to circle the six stories of hell that make up this complex, fighting for the one or two spaces not already sequestered by a north shore LandCruiser.

I'm willing to concede the disabled spaces might have some merit, although they always seem to be grossly oversupplied. The ''parents with prams'' spots have always irked me, as they must surely infuriate everyone bar new mums with an overblown sense of entitlement. Who needs the baby bonus as an incentive - have a kid just for the parking perks.

Priority parking should provide geographical assistance to the disadvantaged. But what handicap can hybrid car owners possibly claim? Constant derision by the rest of society, perhaps, but surely they foresaw that when they bought the thing.