154 businesses take out joint ad in Australian newspapers calling for equal marriage

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More than 150 businesses have taken out a joint full-page ad in Australian newspapers, calling on the government to introduce same-sex marriage.
154 businesses take out joint ad in Australian newspapers calling for equal marriage

Australia is currently under pressure over its continued ban on same-sex marriage, with a surge in popular support for equality following victory for same-sex marriage in the Republic of Ireland.

Tony Abbottā€™s Liberal Party remains largely opposed and continues to hold up progress ā€“ though some have called for a free vote on the issue.

As campaigners call for equality, 154 businesses and corporate giants have joined together with Australian Marriage Equality to take out an ad in this weekendā€™s national News Corp papers.

Companies as diverse as McDonaldā€™s, Twitter, Levis, Mastercard,  H&M, Deliotte and Google signed the ad.

It reads: ā€œAn ever increasing number of local, national and global businesses support Marriage Equality for Australians. Very soon, weā€™re going to need a bigger ad!ā€

It comes after a previous ad from 53 corporations last month ā€“ but more than 100 new businesses have agreed to join the call for equality since.

Rodney Croome of AME said: ā€œThe message is clear: the country is ready for change.ā€