Big companies have to think about lots of big issues
The government seems to be telling business not to talk about climate change but in fact businesses are increasingly required to do so. Regulators such as the Reserve Bank of Australia and the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority are warning directors they will be liable if they fail to take climate change into account.
Speaking out on a wide range of issues is not altruism but smart business. For high-tech and international companies like Qantas and Atlassian,who need to attract and retain an educated and diverse workforce it is a no-brainer to promote values such as support for LGBTI rights or climate activism.
Mr Joyce and Mr Cannon-Brookes know their people like working at a company which shares their values.
Speaking out also helps companies win over consumers and other stakeholders. A recent survey by the Committee for Economic Development of Australia found 80 per cent of people want business leaders to show they stand for something.
When businesses “pander” to activist campaigns,it is usually not because of some coercive plot by activists but because the issue has become important to their customers and ignoring them will damage the company’s brand. For example,Woolworths last year introduced a charge on single-use plastic bags after a campaign about waste,a decision which theHeraldsupported.
In our modern economy,the concerns of business leaders go far beyond the narrow confines of tax and industrial relations where Mr Morrison seems to want to corral them. Let them speak out and,just as importantly,let Mr Morrison listen.