We are launching our second ad in @australian weekend edition. Tripled since last ad!! #teamequal #marriageequality pic.twitter.com/Prien3Fhyn
— Tyson Young (@T_rexhunter2) June 12, 2015
However, The Australian reports that the Catholic Church subsequently used the ads as a hitlist of sorts, with the Archdiocese of Sydney writing letters to the businesses featured in the ad; letters that essentially amounted to a threat. Either pull your support for the amending of the Marriage Act, or face the loss of business from the Catholic Church.
“You may be aware that the Catholic archdiocese of Sydney is a significant user of goods and services from many corporations, both local and international. Undoubtedly, many of the Catholic population of Sydney would be your employees, customers, partners and suppliers. It is therefore with grave concern that I write to you about the Marriage Equality for Australians campaign.”
“For corporations to speak on such issues on behalf of shareholders, employees, clients/customers, suppliers and other stakeholders is indeed overstepping their purpose and is to be strongly resisted.”
It’s understood that Telstra holds the contracts for most of, if not all, Catholic schools across Australia, and Diggs’ thinly veiled threat represents a very large potential loss of business for the telecom giant.
“You may have seen that today in The Australian there was an article suggesting that we have withdrawn our support for same-sex marriage.Our position hasn’t changed. We place great importance on diversity and standing against discrimination, in all its forms. Our workforce reflects this diversity, including people of same-sex in a broad range of relationships.Ultimately, Parliament will determine any changes to the institution of marriage. In view of this we have no plans to figure prominently in the wider public debate.”
That last sentence. Yikes. If that’s not poorly disguised corporate doublespeak for “we’re shit scared of losing the money” then we do not know what is.