In a radio interview yesterday, Treasurer Joe Hockey sparked outrage over comments he made regarding people below the poverty line.
Many reacted online, with a mixture of serious and humorous results:
I don't want to brag but I'm just about to go for a drive...in my own car...which according to Joe Hockey means...I'M RIICH BIATCH!!!!
Joe Hockey: 'I fully identify with the average Australian motorist and so does my driver'.
Actually @JoeHockey, the poorest households spend more of their income on petrol than do the richest..
This morning, #JoeHockeyFacts began trending on Twitter.
Poor people pay less tax because they die earlier from malnutrition #JoeHockeyFacts
Everyone knows that the mining companies are struggling so need a tax cut #JoeHockeyFacts
Poor people don't live in houses cause they homeless #JoeHockeyFacts
It is certainly not the type of response Hockey had been planning on receiving.
Poor people just love the bus too much #joehockeyfacts
Paid parental leave for the rich is necessary, because they have extra cost burdens like butlers and nannies. #JoeHockeyFacts
"You can call it a tax, you can call it a levy, you can call it a rabbit". Joe Hockey doesn't know the difference #JoeHockeyFacts
$7 is not much if you have no income at all. #JoeHockeyFacts #auspol
Hockey has since come forward today, defending his statements on ABC NewsRadio:
But this is just one of many moments that have cast negative PR on the Treasurer.
Can see you've been doing it tough, @JoeHockey Must be terrible only being able to smoke 1 Cuban cigar at a time: