Australia: Why are CEO's of large companies pushing immoral homosexual marriage?
Business leaders, like all Australians, are entitled to one vote in the plebiscite on same-sex marriage, promised by the Coalition at the election last year. They also are entitled to voice their opinions, as are those who disagree with them. Using influential brand names to bolster their case, however, especially without the full endorsement of companies’ owners or boards, is problematic. As Joe Kelly reports today, at least some of the chief executives who signed the letter to Malcolm Turnbull, handed to them by the Australian Marriage Equality lobby, calling on the government to legislate for same-sex marriage “in the near term’’, were speaking personally. Many board members, shareholders, staff and customers of the companies the chief executives run will probably disagree. Immigration Minister Peter Dutton had a point when he said those who wanted to be politicians should run for election.
The chief executives’ letter claims same-sex marriage laws would be good for employees, business and customers. That is debatable. Telstra customers, for example, who have endured the tedium of seeking help for faulty services may prefer to see more resources spent on improving customer care.
The chief executives are right in urging the Turnbull government to “get on with its core economic agenda”. The Australian agrees, which is one reason we regard same-sex marriage as a secondary issue. In principle, we are not opposed to it. But voters have endorsed the idea of a plebiscite and that should decide the issue. At a time when the government is under intense pressure on major economic issues and the energy crisis, it does not need the distraction of another battle on same-sex marriage.
Rather than wading into divisive social policy issues, chief executives should be speaking up on subjects more relevant to profitmaking, job creation and investment, by explaining the compelling economic arguments for company tax cuts, the benefits of the Fair Work Commission’s decision to wind back Sunday penalty rates and wider industrial relations reform. In contrast to the bellicose rhetoric of trade union leaders, most business leaders have been too timid for too long on core economic issues directly relevant to their shareholders.
The credibility of the chief executives’ letter has been compromised by suggestions of possible coercion. As the head of one major corporation told The Australian, the preparation involved a complicated “telephone tree” and “buddy system” of executives: “It could look like a corporate bully system when a bigger corporation wanted the CEO of a smaller corporation to sign up, especially if they were a supplier.”
Prominent activists and Greens MPs have damaged their credibility in the debate by abusing and boycotting a family-run company, Coopers Brewery, after its beer featured in a respectful Bible Society debate between Liberal MPs Tim Wilson and Andrew Hastie, who hold opposing views on same-sex marriage. Those against a plebiscite on the dubious grounds it would unleash vilification against same-sex couples harm their case by vilifying others.
