SBS has been accused of abusing its position as a public broadcaster by joining a corporate campaign in favour of same-sex marriage.
During Senate estimates hearings on Tuesday, Liberal National Party senator Matt Canavan said SBS had taken sides on an issue of "political contention" by joining companies such as Google, Qantas, Optus and the big banks by supporting same-sex marriage. 
Fellow Coalition senator Chris Back questioned whether the broadcaster would be able to provide balanced coverage during a plebiscite on same-sex marriage given its corporate stance. 
The SBS logo featured among other major brands published in full-page newspaper advertisements supporting marriage equality published earlier this year. 
"Why is it appropriate for a public broadcaster to involve themselves in a political campaign on issues such as this?" Senator Canavan asked SBS managing director Michael Ebeid.
"I do feel this is a little bit of of an abuse of your position, Mr Ebeid, to have come to a corporate position based on no legal advice and little understanding of the different views in the debate other than 'it's all just about equality'."
Mr Ebeid responded by saying he did not believe same-sex marriage is a political issue. He said the broadcaster's corporate stance would not influence how it covers the issue in its news and current affairs programs.
"SBS, in its whole foundation and purpose of being, is about promoting cultural diversity and social cohesion," he said.
"We are an organisation that does everything we can to support equality.
"As an employer, we have joined other employers to say we support equality in all its forms and don't discriminate against our employees.
"I don't think this is an issue that's a political issue. It's a societal issue, not a political issue at all."
Senator Canavan said he "completely" disagreed that support for same-sex marriage was not a political issue.
"You're actually an employee of the Commonwealth of Australia and the Commonwealth of Australia has a Marriage Act saying marriage is between a man and a woman," he said.
Senator Canavan said private organisations were free to campaign on political issues but that government agencies such as SBS should not.
Senator Canavan quoted an episode of Media Watch from earlier this year which claimed the Australian media's coverage of the same-sex marriage debate was biased against supporters of traditional marriage.
Mr Ebeid said SBS has a "long history" of airing both sides of the same-sex marriage debate.
"As a public broadcaster we cover all issues in a completely balanced and objective way," he said.
Politicians, including those who support same-sex marriage, criticised SBS earlier this year for pulling an anti-same sex marriage advertisement from its telecast of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade. 
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