Telecoms giant re-endorses same-sex marriage, days after withdrawing support
Australia’s biggest telecoms country has reinstated its endorsement for equal marriage, after withdrawing its support last week.
The country’s government has been stalling for over a year on the issue – with current PM Malcolm Turnbull attempting to kick it into the long grass by forcing a public vote, despite a Parliamentary majority in favour.
Some of the country’s biggest businesses have come out in favour of equality, with telecoms giant TELSTRA campaigning alongside Australian Marriage Equality (AME).
Despite expressing its support for equality previously, the company last week performed an about-face following a complaints campaign led by anti-LGBT Church groups.
It said: “Telstra has a long tradition of supporting diversity and inclusion.
“Our position on the issue has not changed. We place great importance on diversity and standing against all forms of discrimination.
“We also recognise this diversity means our employees, customers and shareholders will have a range of personal views on this topic.
“What has changed is that the Government has indicated it will call a plebiscite on the issue and, ultimately, Parliament will decide the matter.
“Our people and stakeholders can contribute to this process and out of respect, it is important we allow them to voice their own views.
“Given this we have no further plans to be active in the debate.”
However, the company has changed its stance yet again today, following a huge backlash from customers.
A statement from the company said that instead of stepping back from the debate Telstra should step forward and support same-sex marriage.
“By renewing our active position, we acknowledge that we are at equal risk of inflaming a new debate but it is the right thing to do,” Telstra’s chief executive Andy Penn claimed.
“It also remains very important that we continue to recognise and respect the right of the individual to hold their own view on this issue.”
