Speaker's Mojo Mathers decision outrageous - Peters
Deaf Green MP Mojo Mathers has found herself an unlikely ally – NZ First leader Winston Peters.
New Green Party MP Mojo Mathers has found herself an unlikely ally – NZ First leader Winston Peters.
Mr Peters has said the decision of Parliament's Speaker's Office to refuse special funding to Ms Mathers, New Zealand's first profoundly deaf MP, to help pay the cost of electronic note-taking equipment is "unthinkable".
“Other physical disabilities are recognised in the parliamentary environment and it is outrageous that deafness is not included," Mr Peters said.
He has offered to contribute some of the cost of the equipment from the New Zealand First leader's budget and has called on other parties to do the same.
Labour disability spokeswoman Clare Curran said that if Dr Smith requires the approval of the Parliamentary Service Commission to fund this equipment, "Labour supports a speedy resolution. Being deaf should not be a barrier to participating in a modern democracy. Mojo was democratically elected. She deserves all the support required to be an active and effective member of parliament."
Ms Mathers is due to give her maiden speech to Parliament tomorrow (Wednesday) at 4.15pm.
Parliament's Speaker, Lockwood Smith, will brief media at 3.30pm today.
Colin Williscroft
Tue, 14 Feb 2012
Tue, 14 Feb 2012
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Speaker's Mojo Mathers decision outrageous - Peters
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