‘Working class’ father Stephen Callaghan wants politicians to pay for his kids holiday

AN AUSSIE dad, fed up with the taxpayer-funded travel for Australian MPs, has come up with an ironic way to fund his own holiday.

That’s one way to pay for a holiday

AN AUSSIE dad, fed up with the taxpayer-funded travel for Australian MPs, has called on federal politicians to “give his children a holiday”.

Stephen Callaghan started a crowdfunding campaign on the website Go Fund Me, inviting politicians to pay for his family trip to Uluru.

The post is a further sign of the public anger towards politicians about the expenses scandal that saw Bronwyn Bishop forced from her role as Speaker and threatens to engulf other frontbenchers.

Mr Callaghan, of Blue Haven in New South Wales, wrote an open letter to MPs asking them to contribute to his children’s holiday to Uluru.

He describes his family as “working class” and said they were selling some possessions to help finance the trip.

“Dear Federal MPs ... It has come to my attention that many of you have been using taxpayers’ money to fly your children around on various holidays, fireworks visits, excursion and overseas vacations,” he wrote.

“I would appreciate it greatly if you were able to donate to my Go Fund Me campaign so MY kids can go on a holiday too.”

The father-of-three said he would not accept donations from “everyday Australians” because they had already forked out enough.

The Go Fund Me post by Stephen Callaghan asking politicians to contribute towards his family holiday.

“They have already paid too much for YOUR kids ... all I ask is that, in the words of our great Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, my children get a ‘fair go’.

“Please consider being a Lifter (not a Leaner) and lifting my kids aboard a plane or a train (or even a cruise ship, if you give generously) by sharing the perks YOU get with 3 ordinary Australian kiddies.”

Mr Callaghan posted pictures of his children eating ice cream alongside a caption that said it was taken five years ago, suggesting that was the last time the family had a holiday together.

He said his daughter was sad when he told her about Treasurer Joe Hockey’s $14,000 business-class trip to Western Australia with his family.

Mr Callaghan told the ABC his family had planned to visit Uluru before it emerged that Tony Burke, the Manager of Opposition Business, was under fire for taking the same trip.

“I’m just so angry at all these politicians that think it’s acceptable for us to cart their kids around business class on holidays. I understand they have work expenses but this is just pushing the boundaries,” he said.

“The kids are not getting any younger at eight, nine and 12 ... we want to see Uluru.

“We’re really sacrificing for this trip. I sold my car and the kids have sold a few of their possessions like Nintendo games ... it will cost $1800 just in fuel to get there and back.”

As of this morning, $435 had been raised towards a target of $5000 — although none of those donations were from political figures.

Originally published as ‘Working class’ father Stephen Callaghan wants politicians to pay for his kids holiday