Stephen Callaghan decided to make the invitation to MPs after being outraged to learn some fly their children around the country on the taxpayer. Photo / AFP
A father of three has set up a crowd-funding campaign hoping federal politicians will help fund his family holiday to Uluru.
Stephen Callaghan decided to make the invitation to MPs after being outraged to learn some fly their children around the country on the taxpayer.
"I think it was always in the back of our mind that the politicians were abusing the system by scheduling these iffy appointments just so they could go to the footy, but I had no idea they were carting around their family at our expense," he said.
Callaghan already had plans to drive his family of five to Uluru when it emerged former Education Minister Tony Burke charged taxpayers A$12,000 ($13,400) for his family's 2012 business-class trip to the same destination.
"Dear Federal MPs ... I would appreciate it greatly if you [donated] to my Go Fund Me campaign so MY kids can go on a holiday too," Callaghan posted at the weekend.
"I won't be accepting donations from everyday Australians ... 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".
"Dear Joe Hockey, do your kids have some hotel soaps left over from their $18k holiday they can send my kids? They've never been in a hotel," he tweeted to the Treasurer, who has been implicated in the controversy.
Callaghan hasn't received any funds or feedback from politicians, but has been encouraged by the kindness of strangers, with several hundred dollars already donated towards the young family's trip.
Callaghan plans on passing on some of the funds to children's charity, Stewart House.