Croome calls for calm

LONG-TIME marriage equality advocate Rodney Croome has condemned attacks against people publicly expressing their support or not of same-sex marriage.

“In recent days a Burnie cafe has suffered arson threats because of its support for marriage equality while a Canberra woman has been sacked from her job by supporting the No case,” Mr Croome told the Mercury yesterday.

The Fair Work Ombudsman has said it will investigate the dismissal of a contractor to a Canberra children’s party entertainment business, after she expressed her support for a No vote in the postal survey, to see whether workplace laws had been breached.

“This is a debate about fairness, tolerance and equality, and there is no place for threats or discrimination,” Mr Croome said. “No-one should be threatened, discriminated against, silenced or in any way disadvantaged because they hold a view one way or the other. Remember that when this is over we will still have to live together side-by-side.

“Anyone who experiences threats should report them to the police, and anyone who experiences discrimination should report it to their antidiscrimination commission.”

Mr Croome said he had full confidence that Tasmania Police would act promptly and fairly on any report of threats or violence. “I’m also confident that Tasmania’s Anti-Discrimination Act will help deter discrimination on the grounds of political activity, religious belief and sexual orientation.”

Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Michael Bailey said he had heard no reports of any poor workplace behaviour.

Croome