This is a selection of some of the tweets about the Taxpayer Union’s allegations about Green MP Mojo Mathers, as reported in Patrice Dougan’s Green MP's 800km taxpayer-funded trip questioned. The tweets below are in (rough) reverse chronically order – the most recent tweets are first. More will be added. [Read more below]
At best, NZTU v Mojo is a second example in a week of going off half-cocked on bad information. (The first was Pete Hodgson). Poor judgement
Taxpayers' Union @TaxpayersUnion
NBR: Taxpayers' Union did not target deaf Green MP http://bit.ly/1fzb3US
So, @mojomathers couldn't have done the interview on Skype because quality is not good enough for lip reading. @JordNZ really is a chump.
CarrieStoddart-Smith @Ellipsister
Latest post: Musings on the Taxpayers Union #nzpol http://wp.me/p3glh4-cC
Imperator Fish @ImperatorFish
For those who missed it, here is a short summary of @JordNZ 's explanation for what he said about Mojo Mathers pic.twitter.com/QLCUBKdy7b
so now @jordNZ targets the NBR to say that his @TaxpayersUnion did not target deaf Green MP http://bit.ly/1fzb3US #holeisgettingdeeper
It's all the media's fault!
The whole Mojo story is f'n stupid, but I don't get why @JordNZ is apologising/clarifying - isn't outrageous comment what TU is there for?
How is a journo quoting your position 'out of context' just because they rang you instead of you ringing them? #taxpayersunion
Because either the article is lying, or @JordNZ is lying. There isn't really a third option.
Interestingly, though, @JordNZ suggests he wasn't the source of the story. So WHO was asking the questions, then, @nzherald, @PatriceDougan?
Will any reporters do a followup to the @whaleoik question, quiz the PM how often he talks to Jordan? Just askin'
Back in NZ and my Twitter feed is threatening to collapse under the weight of its own outrage - it's familiar, like a pair of old slippers
Taxpayers' Union didn't seek publicity, it just responded with a stupid comment, thaaaaaat clears it all up. No need to apologize then, bro.
Imperator Fish @ImperatorFish
If the TPU were asked to comment on the Mojo Mathers "spend-up" story, where then did it originate? Who thought it was worth reporting?
Wherein @JordNZ forgets to apologise but remembers to emphasise that it’s all someone else’s fault: https://www.facebook.com/jwilliamsnz/posts/552699575661 …
Wonder how much money the taxpayer would have saved if Tim Groser just stayed at home and skyped the hotel minibar
A photo of *that* interview pic.twitter.com/ZlKhb6GQpG
Matthew Hooton @MatthewHootonNZ
Hey @jordnz, here is a real scandal for you; http://m.kiwiblog.co.nz/2014/03/golf_course_owner_wants_more_taxpayer_funding.html … #nzpol
People criticize the Taxpayer's union like they really expected something different from a bunch of National-voting Wellingtonians.
Oh, how awesome. @JordNZ claims his quotes were “taken out of context”. Weasel. http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/auckland/news/2027869188-social-media-storm-over-mojo-mathers-travel-comments …
For clarity I can't use Skype to talk with people I don't know as the quality is just not good enough for lip reading.
Matthew Hooton @MatthewHootonNZ
.@JordNZ when u're next asked about $500, say "amounts like that are irrelevant, the real issues are .." Then talk WFF & corporate welfare
Of course @jordnz could have just checked with @mojomathers, who would have told him. But why miss an opportunity to be make insinuations?
Breaking news: If John Key is PM at final of next rugby world cup he'll congratulate All Blacks by skype as it's cheaper.
Hi all, This morning there has been some criticism of my comments in a story on the Herald website about a trip... http://fb.me/2xBLKLTtY
@mojomathers All I can see is a bonfire of taxpayer money that could have been spent at Jordon Williams law firm
I wish I knew how to sign 'up yours Taxpayers Union' #NZSLofficiallanguage
By all means give us the context. Cause I can't think of a context in which attacking representing people with disability would be ok.
At $550 bucks, it's an embarrassingly feeble miss of a gotcha, a tawdry cheap way to sell-out humanity/credibility. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11212333 …
Time to call out the so called Taxpayers Union as a front 4 Act & National. How many members & where's funding from? http://m.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11212333 …
Matthew Beveridge @matthewjpb
So who tipped off the @nzheraldnznews about @mojomathers trip?
Matthew Beveridge @matthewjpb
The Taxpayers Union have just gone and wasted any political capital they had built up.
National's strategy this year is clearly to attack the Greens. Colin Craig and the Taxpayers' Union are dependable, obedient proxies.
Top tweets about the Taxpayer Union allegations about Mojo Mathers http://bit.ly/1klM3IK
@bryce_edwards What qualifies tweet as "Top"? Most are the usual prog rubbish from the self appointed "elite" eg @gtiso. Yawn.
Mojo Mathers should do a certain finger gesture back to the Taxpayers Union that even people who don't know sign language will understand.
Laurie Fleming @LaurieFleming
.@jordnz If You're going to take @mojomathers to task for a legitimate trip and not @johnkeypm for going to the golf, you're talking shit.
Three Taxpayer Union board members are regulars on Jim Mora's Panel. Be nice if this debacle today inspired Radio NZ to rethink that.
One day, @JordNZ awakes with a brainwave. "Today," he shouts triumphantly into his pillow, "The Taxpayers Union will attack the disabled!"
Coley Tangerina @ColeyTangerina
The taxpayer's union admonishing Mojo for her spending is characteristic of how society views disability - a burden on everyone else.
Massive own goal by the "Taxpayer's Union" to challenge @mojomathers for her commitment to reaching disabled people http://ht.ly/u8GsB
Thanks, Taxpayers Union, for exposing another hardworking-taxpayer-funded junket to the glamour resort of Masterton. http://nzh.tw/11212333?r=iptw
Yo, people who - for reasons that pass understanding - continue to respect @dpfdpf: you do realise he co-founded the taxpayer's union, yes?
Question for @JordNZ & @TaxpayersUnion- how many $millions has National thrown at their constituents to irrigate marginal dairy farms?
There are photos of @mojomathers on the walls of my daughter's classroom. For reasons that will always be utterly beyond @JordNZ
Hey @JordNZ before you appoint yourself critic of every interview & flight MPs take in their job, suggest you look at Groser's mini-bar bill
I am also furious that the mother of a lesbian was given a taxpayer funded joyride.
Settle a bet, @dpfdpf or @jordnz -- what's the membership count of NZ Taxpayer Union?
The Taxpayers Union board members who are on Twitter: @JordNZ, @dpfdpf, @JordanMcCluskey and @stephybelle. If you feel like saying Hi.
> Stephanie Morrison @stephybelle
@secondzeit @JordNZ @dpfdpf @JordanMcCluskey Hi Philip - I am not a board member of the Taxpayers' Union and never have been.
> Jordan McCluskey @JordanMcCluskey
@stephybelle @secondzeit @JordNZ @dpfdpf Me either, I'm a part time researcher.
How ironic that the NZ Taxpayers Union itself is penny-wise and pound-foolish.
The Who We Are page of the NZ Taxpayers’ Union website. Just so you know. http://taxpayers.org.nz/pages/who-we-are …
It’s handy to know quite how much contempt in which the disabled are held by Jordan Williams and the Taxpayers Union: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11212333 …
Reminder that John Key was flown to Queenstown (round trip ex Akl ~$500) this weekend for the sole purpose of ~playing golf~
It is a sad irony that as an essentially phony outfit, the NZ Taxpayer Union are much more of a rort than any story they manage to gin up.
BREAKING: Wasteful MP uses taxpayer money to buy a bottle of milk from dairy, when they could have brought it from supermarket for less
Hey @JordNZ, your attack on Mojo Mathers reeked of the "why can't you just be normal" bullshit that people with disabilities face everyday
Jordan Williams isnt the Director of the Tax Payers Union. The TPU is JW. Why does he wear a disguise? He's the Phantom of Nationals Opera
Andrew Campbell @Andr3wCampbell
in actual news @JordNZ, here is a real story on tax payer spending @NZGreens uncovered whole you were chasing $500. http://i.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9779943/Taxman-binges-225m-on-advisors …
The National Party's ally doesn't want Mojo speaking at a rural disability event. Seriously? http://nzh.tw/11212333
Matthew Hooton @MatthewHootonNZ
This is just partisan bullying by @jordNZ and $ are irrelevant. Worry about WFF, superannuation, gold card etc http://m.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11212333 … #nzpol
@MatthewHootonNZ @JordNZ that is remarkably mean spirited & petty
> Matthew Hooton @MatthewHootonNZ
.@rossbrowne @JordNZ $550 represents 0.73 SECONDS welfare spending. The Union has odd priorities
Graeme Edgeler @GraemeEdgeler
Query: was that a Taxpayers' Union story, or a Herald story where @JordNZ was the go to for comment?
Do us all a favour @JordNZ and learn something about disability before you make yourself look foolish and mean again
