Belinda Neal's cranky tweet provokes ire

Dumped federal MP Belinda Neal has been pecked from all sides after she used Twitter
to criticise the work ethic of her own party's staff.
Ms Neal tapped out a quick note on Friday afternoon on the popular micro-blogging
website which ignited a barrage of responses.
"NSW Branch of the ALP has all gone home early," Ms Neal wrote.
"The only person in the office is the receptionist at 3pm on a Friday.
Ms Neal was dumped in March after the ALP pre-selected university lecturer Deborah
O'Neill to stand in this year's election for the NSW Central Coast seat of
Robertson.
Her Twitter followers responded, delivering a range of responses.
NSW ALP secretary Sam Dastyari took the high road, challenging Ms Neal's observation.
"Not at all. Working hard with the whole team," he tweeted.
Nine Network political journalist Laurie Oakes took a harsher approach.
"May be no one at Sussex Street wants to speak to the member for Robertson," he
wrote on Twitter.
Australian Workers Union federal secretary Paul Howes criticised Ms Neal on her own
criticism..
"Poor form ... having a crack at the office staff who work crazy hours is low but
we've come to expect that from you," Mr Howes wrote.
Fairfax Radio Network political reporter Latika Bourke was a bit more snide.
"See Belinda, they were out pre selecting someone."
Network Nine political reporter Kevin Wilde summed up the whole affair.
"I wonder if Belinda Neal realises what a cranky tweet could set off on a quiet
Friday afternoon," Mr Wilde wrote.