Westpac apologises for deceptive same-sex marriage email

WESTPAC has apologised after an email was sent to staff falsely claiming that supporting same-sex marriage would prevent 3000 suicides yearly.

WESTPAC have received backlash after encouraging their staff to vote Yes in the same-sex marriage plebiscite through a company wide email, which contained exaggerated information about LGBTI suicide rates in Australia.

The email, sent by the bank’s Youth Network to Westpac and St George employees, stated that a Yes vote was a “no brainer” and “would prevent 3000 suicides per year”.

But according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics a total of 2886 people died from intentional self harm in Australia in 2016, there was no indication as to what the motives were for these suicides or if sexual orientation or gender identity was a factor.

On the 2GB morning show Ray Hadley read out a section of the email, which was sent in anonymously, criticising the bank over their false claims.

“In 2016 Westpac group signed to an open letter in support of Australian marriage equality, believing it is the right thing to do, while we are not one to tell anyone how to roll, it’s a no-brainer,” Hadley read.

“If Tony Abbott’s daughter is publicly voting ‘Yes’, so should you. Along with ensuring all our colleagues and mates feel included and have equal rights, legalising same-sex marriage would prevent 3000 suicides per year.”

Westpac has acknowledged that the link to same-sex marriage and suicide rates in the email was a “mistake”. Picture: Hollie Adams/The Australian

Westpac spokesman David Lording confirmed that the email was sent to as many as 10,000 of the bank’s 40,000 employees and said the error would be corrected, reported The Australian.

“We said that we would get that information clarified to the staff and we will do that,” Mr Lording said.

According to Westpac’s website, the Youth Network is group for employees aged under 30, which provides a support for young professionals “who are seeking out leadership opportunities”.

The group gets together and produces a quarterly publication as well has hosting different events throughout the year.

Westpac has apologised for the mistake, telling SBS that they understand that the information relating to same-sex marriage and suicide rates sent out in the email could be “inaccurately interpreted”.

But while they have acknowledged the mistake, Westpac has said that their supportive stance on same-sex marriage remains the same.

“However we understand there’s a range of views within any large organisation and we respect that. We are encouraging our employees to have their say, and we’re not telling them what to say.”

The email has brought into question whether companies should be taking public stances on political issues, such as the same-sex marriage debate.

“It is a dangerous precedent for companies to come out and prosecute social issues. That is for politicians,” said Maurice Newman, a former chairman of the Australian Securities Exchange and ABC.

Minister for Immigration Peter Dutton told 2GB radio that the bank should “stick to [its] knitting” and not get involved in political debates. Picture: Mick Tsikas/AAP

“I question whether that is something that companies should be occupying their time with.”

Minister for Immigration and Border Protection Peter Dutton, also suggested that companies shouldn’t be pushing political agendas.

“Why are these companies involved in political campaigns?” he told Ray Hadley on 2GB.

“Stick to your knitting. I don’t want sporting organisations or groups involved in delivering banking services telling us how to live our lives.”

While the statement that legalising same-sex marriage could prevent 3000 suicides a year was inaccurate, LGBTI young people aged 16 to 27 are still five times more likely to attempt suicide in their lifetime, according to the National LGBTI Health Alliance.

Of the LGBTI people in this age category, 16% reported that they had attempted suicide compared to 3.2 per cent of people aged 16 and over in the general population.

If you or someone you know needs help, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.