Peter Dutton fires up on CEOs same-sex marriage proposal

Immigration minister Peter Dutton has fired up during a radio interview as he responded on the business leaders' stance on same-sex marriage. The immigration minister's response was due to the reports that corporate groups forced Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to pass a law on marriage equality. Dutton said that pressuring the government was an outrage.

Dutton told 2GB host Ray Hadley, that he did not care about CEOs' stance on same-sex marriage. But he reminded that the business leaders should not involve themselves on morale causes. He advised them to find the right ways in running the economy and to think about tax reformation. He said that focusing on the economy might help them to grow their businesses and grow jobs.

“If they want to run for politics; well you know resign from their position, stick their hand up at the next election, but don’t jam your politically correct views down our throats. I think there needs to be, frankly, a shot across their bow at the moment,” Dutton told Hadley.

Radley opened the fringe issues about Telstra, to which Dutton responded. Dutton suggested that the company focus on improving its telephone services and its call centre operations. He said that instead of getting caught up and spending the company's investors and shareholders' money, the company should start providing a proper standard care and service to the customers. " I lead a fairly busy life, the thought of hanging on the phone for an hour to some person in the Philippines and still getting nowhere at the end of the call drives me crazy,” Dutton said. Telstra chief is included in the pool of business leaders who wanted to legalise same-sex marriage.

The Australian reported that 20 business leaders would urge Turnbull to bring marriage equality. The report said that business leaders including Optus, Qantas, Apple and Holden would write a joint letter to the prime minister. The final draft of the letter pointed out that couples who get married, regardless of sexual orientation, would be able to contribute to a more inclusive Australia and a stronger economy. The letter also suggested that marriage equality could help in attracting foreign investors as it gives an impression of corporate social responsibility.

Company bosses of ANZ Banking Group, AGL Energy, Commonwealth Bank, National Rugby League, Football Federation Australia, Westpac and Wesfarmers were among those who signed the joint letter. The corporate Australia was approached by the Australian Marriage Equality lobby group in 2015 when the Abbott government opposed the legalisation of same-sex marriage.

REA Group chief executive said that they believed that equality is everyone's basic human right. He said that the culture of diversity and inclusion could foster creativity and it often formed the best ideas. He said that such culture could be created if the people were comfortable with their working environment.

Deloitte, Commonwealth Bank and KPMG chiefs defended their decisions in signing the letter. Deloitte's Cindy Hook said that she believed in fairness and inclusion and she recognised and respect everyone's views.

Turnbull refused to be drawn on the comments of Dutton. He reiterated that the proposal would only progress if the Australian voters had their voice in the plebiscite.