Government MP Slams Mental Health Groups And Qantas CEO Over Marriage Equality

Government MP "disappointed" Alan Joyce "steps out of his normal day job" to speak on the issue.

An anti-marriage equality MP has attacked mental health groups and Australia's most senior gay businessman, Qantas CEO Alan Joyce, for their contributions to the same-sex marriage debate.

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Last weekend, dual Irish-Australian citizen Alan Joyce came out strongly against the government's proposed same-sex marriage plebiscite, claiming it will do great "damage" to Australian society.

It's a similar stance taken by mental health advocates who've warned about how the "no" campaign could impact young LGBTI Australians.

On Tuesday, Liberal National MP Andrew Laming singled out both for standing against the government's national vote on the issue.

I am disappointed mental health experts have stepped into this debate, failing to see that the fastest way to resolve this issue is a plebiscite. I am disappointed that the CEO of Qantas Alan Joyce steps out of his normal day job and says he is prepared to wait for a parliamentary vote.

Well Alan, with the greatest respect there are plenty of same-sex Australians not prepared to wait, there are plenty of same-sex Australians not prepared to wait another three years, this can be fixed in a matter of weeks and it’s done with a plebiscite. I don’t patronise or belittle the Australian people. They can handle this debate.

The plebiscite is expected to be killed off on Tuesday, with Labor intending to vote against legislation in the Senate this week.