Business support sends strong message to Federal MPs.
Over 80 businesses in Northern Tasmania have declared their support for marriage equality in an advertisement in today’s edition of the Launceston Examiner.
The businesses range from trendy cafe, Star Bar, and the popular Esk Beer Fest through to Australia’s oldest bookshop, Birchalls.
Ad organiser and local businessman, Rick Marton, said,
“The more business owners I speak to the more I see them grasp that this is not a political issue, it’s an equality issue.”
“There are now over 1000 employees in Northern Tasmania who work at these local businesses knowing that their same sex relationship would be treated with the same respect as anyone else’s, not to mention those working for supportive companies such as Bunnings, Officeworks, Coles and Target in the Wesfarmers Group.”
Mr Marton said there is also strong support from marriage celebrants.
“Many civil celebrants are saying that marrying heterosexual couples are increasingly uncomfortable with the declaration that marriage is ‘between one man and one woman’ and want it to be ‘between two people’.”
The ad is the second from Northern Tasmanian businesses in recent weeks and is part of a national campaign highlighting business support for marriage equality.
Australian Marriage Equality national director and 2015 Tasmanian of the Year, Rodney Croome, welcomed the ad saying it is one of the largest of its kind in regional Australia.
“The show of support from the Northern Tasmanian business community has been one of the strongest and most emphatic in Australia.”
“This sends a powerful message to Tasmania’s federal politicians that it’s time for them to back marriage equality.”
“Business owners understand that marriage equality is good for their workforce, their competitiveness and the community.”
Last month the federal member for Bass, Andrew Nikolic, said same-sex marriage is a low priority for the Government naming “economic management” as more important.
A copy of the ad is attached.
A facebook page with messages of support from Northern Tasmanian business people can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/MarriageEqualityNorthTas
For more information contact Rick Marton on 0419 427 794 or Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.
Author: Rodney Croome
Publication: AME Media Release
Date: 7 August 2015
