Australia: SBS CEO's support for marriage equality is 'political activism': Abetz

Liberal Senator Eric Abetz is calling on SBS's chief executive to explain a move the Tasmanian senator has labelled 'political activism'.

Senator Abetz says SBS chief executive Michael Ebeid must explain why he has signed and defended a letter calling for marriage equality to the prime minister and whether his actions have breached the SBS's policies and editorial independence.

Mr Ebeid is one of 30 self-described "business, industry and community leaders" to have written to the prime minister urging him to allow the Australian people to determine whether to change the definition of marriage.

Senator Abetz said the move amounted to political activism and was out of step with the SBS's charter and breached SBS's editorial independence. His criticism comes just days after Immigration Minister Peter Dutton slammed Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce for his public stance on homosexual marriage.

Mr Dutton told Mr Joyce to "go back and serve his customers" and said the government "would not be bullied" into changing its stance on the issue.

"It is unacceptable that people have used companies, and shareholders money, to try to throw their weight around in these debates," he told reporters on Saturday.

"Alan Joyce, the individual, is perfectly entitled to campaign for and spend his hard earned money on any issue he sees fit, but don't do it in the official capacity and with shareholders money.

"And certainly don't use an iconic brand and the might of a multi-billion dollar business on issues best left to the judgment of issues and elected decision makers.

"The reality is that some companies are morally coerced into supporting campaigns in fear of being extorted by an online social media push to boycott their product."