QANTAS CEO Alan Joyce has said he will not be silent in his support of marriage equality, following his public assault in Perth earlier this week.

Mr Joyce was struck in the face with a pie by a disgruntled opponent of marriage equality, former farmer Tony Overheu. Overheu revealed he was motivated by QANTAS’ “corporate bullying” of the public.

“No attempt at bullying us to suppress our voice will work,” Mr Joyce said.

The QANTAS CEO also deflected recent criticism of business leaders speaking out on social issues, spearheaded by Immigration Minister Peter Dutton last month.

“All I can say is that it is part of my role. It’s part of every corporate leader’s role to have a view on social and community issues,” Mr Joyce asserted.

The West Australian reported that Mr Joyce intended to press charges against Mr Overheu to send a message that his behaviour was unacceptable.

“We live in a democracy. We live in a society where we have freedom of speech. Nobody should be intimidated, nobody should be bullied.”

Mr Joyce has also responded to the government’s continued commitment to a plebiscite on marriage equality, as was revealed in Treasurer Scott Morrison’s budget this week.

“Parliament should get on and do it.”

OIP Staff