Qantas continues equal marriage advocacy despite Dutton criticism
Image: Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce. (PHOTO: Ann-Marie Calilhanna; Star Observer)
Qantas will continue advocating for marriage equality despite Immigration Minister Peter Dutton’s criticism of CEO Alan Joyce over the matter.
Joyce was among more than 30 prominent executives who earlier this week called on Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to legalise same-sex marriage, in a letter coordinated by Australian Marriage Equality.
Dutton singled out Joyce at an LNP conference on Saturday, saying he should express his views “as an individual” and not using his company’s brand.
“It is unacceptable that people would use companies and the money of publicly listed companies to throw their weight around,” said Dutton.
“If Alan Joyce and any other CEO wants to campaign on this or any other issue in their own time and on their own dime, good luck to them.
“Don’t use an iconic brand and the might of a multi–billion dollar business on issues best left to the judgements of individuals and elected decision-makers.”
Dutton said companies were being “morally coerced” into supporting social issues for fear of boycotts.
“It is simply unconscionable,” he said.
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop appeared to support corporate campaigning, saying free speech should be protected in a democracy.
“If chief executives believe that it’s in the interests of their company to collaborate on a public statement, then they’re free to do so,” she said.
Qantas has stated the company will continue to support marriage equality.
“Qantas speaks out on a number of social issues from Indigenous recognition to gender diversity and marriage equality,” said a spokesperson.
“We do so because we believe these issues are about the fundamental Australian value of fairness and we’re the national carrier.”
Australian Marriage Equality is calling for people in support of marriage equality to join their Equality Campaign to tell their local MPs why equality matters.
After a critical week for the issue of marriage equality, Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) has also urged supporters to take action through their new Speak Up campaign.
It follows PFLAG’s previous Make It Law campaign, which last year helped defeat a marriage plebiscite.
“Now is the time to act if we are to have any chance of achieving marriage equality in this term of government,” said PFLAG spokesperson Shelley Argent.
“I urge anyone who is yet to send an email to do so asap at demandafreevote.com.au.
“Do it for yourself and do it for your loved ones.”
Dutton is a committed Christian – no sin in that BUT this will be influencing his attitude to Same gender Marriage. What he does not seem to appreciates is that his and all other religious businesses will Not as a result of changing the Secular Australian marriage Act have any impact on those businesses. Religious businesses – they are all Commercial Businesses today – because of the principle of “The Division of State and Religion” these businesses will NOT be required By Law to carry out Same Gender Marriages. That being said, they will soon change their minds when they realize how much money they are missing out on.
This has nothing to do with religion. This has ALL, and ONLY, to do with Equality.
Turnbull should simply introduce Legislation to change the Secular Australian Marriage Act and let his fellow politicians have a Free Vote.
There is no guarantee that it will pass – despite 74% of the Population being in favour of change – because just as there are red-neck Bigots and Homophobes within the Coalition there are every bit as many within the ALP, NXT, One Nation and, I suspect even a few amongst the Greens.