SBS defends same-sex marriage backing

The SBS managing director has defended the broadcaster's decision to join a corporate push to support same-sex marriage.

SBS has defended its decision to back a same-sex marriage campaign alongside other corporate organisations.

Nationals senator Matt Canavan criticised the public broadcaster's move, saying it was an "abuse" of its position.

But managing director Michael Ebeid told a Senate committee on Tuesday that as an employer it wanted to support same-sex marriage, arguing it was a "societal issue, not a political issue".