Same-sex marriage makes more than just economic sense, says Qantas boss Alan Joyce

Qantas boss Alan Joyce says same-sex marriage makes economic sense, but ultimately that’s not the reason for his company’s support for it.

Instead, he says Qantas just doesn’t believe “some people should have fewer rights than others”.

The chief executive was responding to comments made by Government minister Peter Dutton, who last week criticised him for using the Qantas brand to campaign on the issue.

“Mr Joyce is an exceptional CEO. He’s a good person and I know him personally — I have no gripe against him,” the Immigration Minister said then.

“But if he has a particular view on any issue it should be expressed as an individual.

“It is unacceptable that people would use companies and the money of publicly listed companies to throw their weight around.”

Mr Dutton’s comments followed the release of a letter organised by the Australian Marriage Equality organisation — and signed by 20 chief executives, including Mr Joyce – which called on the Prime Minister to legislate same-sex marriage.

But writing on the Qantas website today, Mr Joyce said companies do have a role in the community “beyond selling it things”.

“In the past few years alone, Qantas has given its support widely. Charity flights for drought relief. Awareness raising for homelessness. Transporting volunteer firefighters around the country,” he said.

He listed Qantas’s support for same-sex marriage alongside its recognition for Indigenous people and campaigns for gender equality.

Mr Joyce also wrote that it was an economic issue, saying, “more open societies attract better talent”.

“Qantas (and its CEO) is often called on to speak publicly on issues like company tax, industrial relations and trade. And we do. Because these are important issues that ultimately shape what kind of society we live in (which is the point of economics, right?),” he wrote.

“We’re pleased to include marriage equality on the list.”

This post originally appeared on ABC News.