The Hon.

Malcolm Turnbull, MP
Prime Minister of Australia
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600

Dear Prime Minister,

JOINT LETTER FROM AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS LEADERS IN SUPPORT OF MARRIAGE EQUALITY

As leaders across Australian business, industry and community we write this joint letter
in our personal capacity in support of marriage equality and to urge the Government to
resolve this reform in the near term.

The majority of Australians and MPs support this reform. We ask the Australian Parliament
to deliver civil marriage equality for every Australian so that our nation can move forward
as a more inclusive place to live, work and play.

The time has come to resolve this important reform. Two-thirds1 of Australians support
marriage equality, a majority of both houses of parliament support marriage equality, and
over 1,000 businesses have signed a letter of support for marriage equality. We urge you
to legislate for marriage equality so the Government can get on with its core economic
agenda.

As business leaders, we believe marriage equality is important for a number of reasons.

It is good for our employees People are a companys most important asset. Supporting
marriage equality helps Australian companies attract, nurture and retain the very best and
the brightest people. All employees should have the opportunity to perform to their full
potential and a high performance culture requires employees to feel comfortable in their
workplace and their lives.

It is good for our customers In the globally competitive marketplace, customers

are becoming more discerning and are selecting products and services from companies
that better represent their values. By supporting marriage equality, businesses send a
powerful message to their customers that they think fairness, equality and dignity should
be available to all Australians.
______________________________________________________
1
65% support, 28% opposed, 8% undecided, Crosby|Textor, August 2016

The Equality Campaign is a joint initiative by Australians for Equality

and Australian Marriage Equality to achieve a successful parliamentary
vote for marriage equality so every Australian is equal under the law.
 It is good for Australia Australias global reputation as a welcoming and inclusive
nation helps to attract international talent and foreign investment. Attracting the best
talent is critical, as competitiveness will be delivered by a highly skilled, creative and
adaptable workforce. The most effective way for the diversity and inclusion policies to
be supported is to exist within a national legal framework that promotes equality for all.

It is good for our business Equality and diversity are strategic business issues. It has
been well demonstrated that businesses that embrace workplace diversity and inclusion
are more innovative and outperform in organisational effectiveness and profitability.
Corporate social responsibility is becoming a critical factor to a growing number of global
investors and the capital markets.

Therefore it is very clear that the business case for supporting civil marriage equality is
compelling. Enabling loving, committed couples to be married, regardless of their sexual
orientation will contribute to a stronger economy and a more inclusive Australia.

Globally more than twenty countries have now passed laws to allow same-sex marriage,
including the United States of America, New Zealand, Canada and Great Britain and across
Australia the number of businesses that support marriage equality continues to grow.

Marriage equality is simply based on our shared Australian values of a fair go and respect
for all and its important that these values continue to underpin the ongoing national
conversation on marriage equality.

Marriage equality will not change anything for the vast majority of Australians, but will
make a profound difference to the status and dignity of many.

We believe our laws should reflect these values of which we are most proud. Its time for
all Australians to be treated equally under the law, with the full rights of equal citizenship.
LGBTI Australians should have the same opportunities for love, commitment and happiness
as everyone else.

Yours sincerely

Mark Bernhard Robert Cutler

Andrew Clark Michael Ebeid

Geoff Culbert
Shayne Elliott

The Equality Campaign is a joint initiative by Australians for Equality

and Australian Marriage Equality to achieve a successful parliamentary
vote for marriage equality so every Australian is equal under the law.
Tracey Fellows Peter Nash

David Gallop Paul OSullivan

Richard Goyder Andrew Penn

Todd Greenburg Kerry Purcell

Brian Hartzer Tim Reed

Cindy Hook Heather Ridout

Tony Johnson Luke Sayers

Alan Joyce Ann Sherry

Tony King Rachel Stocks

John Lydon Peter Tonagh

Steve McCann Louis Vega

Anthony Moore Andrew Vesey

Stephen Moore
Jennifer Westacott

Ian Narev David Zehner

The Equality Campaign is a joint initiative by Australians for Equality

and Australian Marriage Equality to achieve a successful parliamentary
vote for marriage equality so every Australian is equal under the law.