Labor’s Mackellar candidate Declan Steele criticised for going on holiday just days into campaign

A Labor candidate for the Federal Election has come under fire for jetting off on a South East Asian holiday just days after the Prime Minister called the election.

Declan Steele, left, and posts from his social media account.

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When Scott Morrison finally called the election last week, candidates across the country sprang into action and hit the campaign trail.

But not Labor’s Declan Steele, who is challenging Jason Falinski in the safe Liberal seat of Mackellar.

The Macquarie University student was instead packing his backs for a get away in South East Asia.

His opponents have been pounding the pavement and knocking on doors and pitting themselves against each other in debates.

Meanwhile Mr Steele has been taking in the sights and sounds of Kuala Lumpur and Singapore with a family member.

Mr Steele has been updating his social media followers on his travels.

On Sunday evening, just three days after Mr Morrison made his visit to the Governor-General, he posted a picture of himself at Sydney Airport with the caption “Well bye for a bit guys”.

On Monday he updated his followers with pictures from the top of KL Tower with the message “this is how you sprawl”.

Then on Tuesday he posted a photo of himself at a luxury hotel.

More than 6000km away the battle for the seat in Sydney’s north was hotting up.

Mr Steele posted this photo from the airport just three days after the election was called.

On Wednesday night candidates attended a climate debate at the Modus Operandi Craft Brewing company in Mona Vale where they took questions from the public.

Knowing he was heading overseas, Mr Steele sent a number of videos in advanced — which failed to play on the night.

One meeting attendee said there was disappointment at the no-show, especially given the serious subject matter.

Sitting MP Mr Falinski questioned the timing of his opponent’s trip.

Mr Steele has been seeing the sight in Malaysia.

“What other candidates do during their campaign is up to them, I’m hitting the streets every day and focused on the electorate,” he said. I’m not sure why you would even want to leave.”

Independent candidate Alice Thompson said Mr Steele’s travel plans indicated his commitment to the community.

She also took aim at Mr Falinski who did not attend the climate debate on Wednesday.

“Jason Falinski MP and the Labor candidate not bothering to show up shows their level of commitment to this community,” she said. “It’s why Mackellar should vote independent.”

Speaking on Facebook to the Manly Daily Mr Steele conceded it was the “worst timed overseas trip of his life” adding “this is a longstanding commitment I made to my family”.

He did not say when he would be back in Sydney.

He has been asked for further comment.

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