- 63% of Australian small and medium businesses back marriage equality
- The Equality Campaign is engaging small and medium sized business owners and employees right across the nation.
- Last week the Equality Campaign held marriage equality forums in Shepparton and Nowra. Tonight we are in Berwick, in the coming days we are in Box Hill, Grafton, Lismore and next week we are in Torquay and Kiama.
The Equality Campaign today weclomed the latest Poll conducted by Sensis that shows that the support for marriage equality in small and medium businesses is at 63%.
Co-Chair of Australian Marriage Equality Janine Middleton said the strong support from businesses right across the nation is because every business wants their valued employees to have the same opportunities for happiness as the rest of their team.
“Marriage Equality is about our friends, family members, team mates and the people we work along aside every day. Supporters across the nation want to ensure that the people in their day to day lives have the same oportunities in life to reach their full potential,” Janine Middleton said.
The Sensis results revealed that the number of small and medium businesses who support marriage equality has increased year-to-year, rising from 55 percent in 2015 to 63 percent in 2016.
“Employees know that having a diverse workforce brings a lot of different skills and experience to the table, but the most important thing is a happy and workplace where everyone is treated fairly,” Janine Middleton said.
“Marriage Equality is a straightforward change that the Government can deliver. It takes from no one but allows every hard working Australian the same opportunities.
“Our new national campaign is about building on the momentum and energy generated across the nation for marriage equality.
“Last week the Equality Campaign held a marriage equality forums in Shepparton and Nowra. Tonight we are in Berwick, in the coming days we are in Box Hill, Grafton, Lismore and next week we are in Torquay and Kiama.
“Local business across the nation have shown tremendous support because they want their families and employees to be happy,” Janine Middleton added.
“Our campaign across the nation will continue to show how marriage equality is simply based on our shared Australian values of a fair go and respect for all.
“The campaign will show the strength and diversity of support for marriage equality. At equalitycampaign.org.au supporters will find the tools to lobby their MPs, hold local events, and share with their communities the many reasons why marriage equality matters,” Janine Middleton concluded.
MEDIA: Clint McGilvray 0413 285 186 or Mike Fairbairn 0448 524 731
Editors Notes: Biography: Janine Middleton, co-chair Australian Marriage Equality
Janine joined the marriage equality campaign in September 2014 as a full-time volunteer. She feels passionately about marriage equality as a human rights issue and believes that the inability for members of the LGBTI community to marry in Australia allows broader discrimination in the community to continue. Janine has enjoyed all the benefits of marriage, with her husband Shane, for the past 20 years and is a leader in the team fighting for the right for all Australians to marry the one they love.
Janine has in excess of 25 years’ experience in the Financial Services industry, working in both Australia and the United Kingdom. Janine spent 13 years with J.P.Morgan in London, working in Debt Capital Markets. Janine has extensive management experience and held the title of Managing Director for her last five years with J.P.Morgan. She spent four years as a founding partner of an Australian private equity firm, Tasman Capital Partners, and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Since returning to Australia in 2012, Janine has become heavily involved in the not-for-profit sector. Janine was appointed Co-Chair of Australian Marriage Equality in January of 2015 and became CEO in September of the same year. She was named as one of Australia’s Top 100 Most Influential Women of 2016.