London: Roger Corbett has likened homosexuality to the difference between a black and a white man in arguing against marriage equality but leading 'Yes' campaigner and Qantas CEO Alan Joyce says he wishes the former Woolworths boss would "talk a bit more".
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Mr Corbett, a former Chairman of Fairfax Media, has criticised businesses like Qantas for advocating for marriage equality.
"I don't think business should take any part in this particular debate and I think it's entirely wrong, because it presumes that everyone, all the stakeholders in that business support that point of view," Mr Corbett told the ABC.
"I daresay in Qantas, where Alan Joyce has been very active and I know Alan, respect him and like him, but I think it is wrong for Qantas and other companies to take the stance they are because they are assuming that everyone in that company supports that stance."
Mr Corbett supports a form of civil union for gay couples but opposes gay marriage arguing it is a tradition that should be kept between a man and a woman because they create children. He said people "deeply believe" in the "norm" of marriage existing only between a man and a woman.
He also told the ABC's 730: "A man and a man and a woman and a woman can have a similar relationship, but it's different," he said. "A black man and a white man are equal, but they're clearly different. A black man will never be a white man and vice-versa."
Speaking to journalists at the Tate Modern in London to launch the first ever Australian artwork to be hung at the gallery, Mr Joyce urged Mr Corbett to keep talking. "Roger is probably actually promoting the 'Yes' campaign more than he is the 'No' campaign."
"I wish he would talk a bit more this is actually very helpful," he said.
He rejected Mr Corbett's comments and said 1300 companies in Australia, including Woolworths, which has distanced itself from the former managing director's interview on Monday night, support marriage equality.
"Good companies contribute to social discourse," Mr Joyce said.
Qantas CEO Alan Joyce at Tate Modern in London launching the gallery's first Australian artwork, Possession Island by Gordon Bennett, which Qantas helped acquire. Photo: Latika Bourke
Mr Joyce has come under sustained attack from the marriage equality opponents within the government.
In May, he was assaulted by 67-year old Tony Overheu who shoved a lemon meringue pie in his face at a business breakfast event in Perth, protesting against Qantas' stance on same sex marriage which he said was "corporate bullying."
Mr Joyce described the tone of the debate in Australia for the postal survey as "sad."
"I actually think the tone, the extremities on both sides is not appropriate," he said.
"We should have a civilised and respectful discourse but that is clearly not the case and I think the sooner the better this is over with, we get the chance to vote on it and we have conclusion on this because I don't think it's good for some vulnerable people in our society."
Alan Joyce hit with a pie during an event in Perth. Photo: Channel 7 News
Mr Joyce said if Australians believed in the "fair go" they would vote 'Yes'.
"I became the CEO of the most iconic brand in Australia and I'm a gay Irishman. It is a meritocracy, I know it's about a fair go, I know Australians respect equality," he said.
Mr Joyce also criticised former prime minister Tony Abbott for trying to muddy the debate by raising other issues.
"He knows if you actually ask people to vote on the issue they will vote 'Yes'. He's trying to make it about everything else because that is the only way he will get a 'No' vote up," he said.
Mr Joyce said he has not yet voted as he has been away from Australia for the past fortnight but is hoping his survey papers have arrived by the time he gets home.
