AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan has defended Andrew Thorburn’s decision to resign after just 24 hours as Essendon CEO, as federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton leads calls for the Bombers to re-appoint him.
Thorburn stood down on Tuesday after it was revealed he is the chairman of a controversial church that holds strong homophobic and anti-abortion views, sparking major debate across the footy world.
Speaking to media on Thursday, McLachlan described Thorburn as ‘a friend’, but defended the decision for club and CEO to part ways.
“I’ve spoken to Andrew – he’s a first class person, I regard him as a friend, and he’s got great values,” McLachlan said
“I’m really clear that everyone is entitled to their beliefs and their religious beliefs. But at times those beliefs can intersect the values and culture of entities, and when you’ve been asked to lead one that seems to be at odds with the beliefs of another entity you’re chairing, I think Andrew had to make a decision.
“And to be honest with you, that he went with his faith doesn’t surprise me because he’s a person of great conviction.
“In the end, I wasn’t surprised by the decision he made.”
Thorburn’s statement upon resigning, lamenting that his ‘personal Christian faith is not tolerated or permitted in the public square’, has led to debate over religion in the game.
Dutton, alongside Victorian Opposition Leader Matthew Guy, have both called for Thorburn to be reappointed, saying the decision is an affront to free speech.
“The views that have been expressed by a pastor at this church in relation to gay people, or to the issue of abortion – they’re an abomination and I condemn those points that have been made by that particular pastor,” he said.
“But the comments and the actions of Andrew Thorburn are completely distanced from that and the fact that an individual can be sacked from a position because of his religious belief doesn’t have any place in our country.
“I’m very deeply concerned, about the development in relation to this Essendon situation and the dismissal, frankly, should be reversed and Mr Thorburn should be reappointed to his position.”
Gillon McLachlan (Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Guy argued on 3AW that Thorburn’s dismissal set a bad precedent, but McLachlan’s position is that religious matters are not all the same.
GWS AFLW player Haneen Zreika has confirmed she will again abstain from playing during the league’s upcoming Pride Round, due to a conflict with her religious beliefs.
“The organisation that he led and their position on some issues was seemingly at odds on with the position of the Essendon Football Club,” McLachlan said.
“I don’t think it’s the same in every situation, I think in this situation it seemed to be a conflict, I think in this situation it seemed to be a conflict and Andrew had to make a choice.”
Curmudgeon1961
Roar Rookie
Fee for no service equals = "a man of great integrity" (apparently). And yes Gil he probably does look like a first class person compared to your clique and circle of association
Larry1950
Guest
well said Joe. Maybe we should be looking at removing tax exemptions when evidence proves cover ups of abuse by church or public organisations hierarchy. Or better still, have the churches with all their tax free wealth sell some of it off to help the poor, as their book tells them. Most of it came from previous generations of the poor population.
Larry1950
Guest
Anyone who has read the scathing specific comments by the banking royal commissioner about Thorburn would have to wonder what Essendon was thinking to appoint him, even before the Church on the Hill rubbish. Google it, he had serious reservations that Thorburn saw anything seriously wrong the the ‘fee for no service’ issue when he was in charge at NAB. The old boys network is still alive & well with their closed shop approach to appointing their mates to senior operational positions & board vacancies at clubs & quangos. The narrow minded ‘christian’ views are just icing on the cake for proving his unsuitability.
Phil
Guest
It’s illegal to discriminate by religion when employing someone, so why is it legal to fire someone on religious grounds. I hope Thorburn sues Essendon and wins. Seems that a club wishing to be inclusive is quite happy to pick and choose whom to include.
Gepetto
Roar Rookie
If he was forced out, he may be able to sue the "Club" for discrimination in employment. If he is awarded damages under Australian law, that will be unlikely to convince the haters on this site but it would hopefully shut Dan up.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
I didn't vote for them in the last election, that would be crazy I'm talking about when little Johnny was running the show
Gepetto
Roar Rookie
Brendon, No doubt you just voted to suit your own commercial interests or did you believe there were reds under your bed?
Megeng
Roar Rookie
It was Bertrand Russell that wrote the famous essay highlighting the fact that there is nothing noble about the oppressed. For centuries now the churches have abused minorities for their own purposes and now they're whining because the shoe's on the other foot. Said minorities are no better it seems; they'll happy abuse their former tormentors. And they'll lie to themselves as to why they're doing it, the whole way.
Reg Grundy
Guest
To tell you the truth I really couldn't care about Thornburn's personal and religious views on social matters. If I was an Essendon member, I would be more worried by the Club's Board being run by a bunch of amateurs. Wouldn't you do your due diligence properly when short listing potential candidates so that the beliefs and values of both parties align before hiring? If involved, a reputable HR firm would have raised these issues during the recruitment process.
Footy fan in SG
Guest
I'd still like to know why the church thinks this man is the right man to be chairman? Did the Bible condone charging service fees for no service? Did the Bible condone charging the dead bank fees and then passing them onto their next of kin? Seems like Jesus probably wouldn't approved of such moral bankruptcy, so I'm not sure why this church reckons he's a saint?
Gepetto
Roar Rookie
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-22/gay-panic-defence-scrapped-by-queensland-parliament/8374758
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
Yes, that would be awesome
Prez
Roar Rookie
yes. Having faith is not the issue. Leading two organisations that have conflicting values is the issue and is not tenable.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
Religious freedom, what a load of rubbish, the last way to truly discriminate in our society. “My imaginary friend says he doesn’t like you” Also, it’s not one Pastor, I actually went and checked the website out, vile is the best word to describe it. Can’t we just throw the people that believe this medievil rubbish into the sea? No surprise to see the cultish liberal party talking about this instead of worrying about running the opposition, can’t believe I used to vote for these extremists
Cat
Roar Guru
Not all Christian’s have the same view. That’s your flaw.
No9
Roar Rookie
Yes . That is the inference that I draw . It seems Christians alone are not to be tolerated in executive positions despite all having the same position .
No9
Roar Rookie
Muslims have the same views on sodomy . Why is Thorburn singled out ?
Footy fan in SG
Guest
I'm simply saying he ran cause he likes footy is all.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
"... and he’s got great values.” Thorburn's values are the issue of contention here. Gil, by saying Thorburn's values are "great", may just be trying to support a friend, but is practically expressing his support for those values. That would make it a much bigger story.
Fraser Gehrig's Mullet
Roar Rookie
There’s a fair bit of diversity amongst all 3 religions in what is tolerated and how you live according to scriptures from past centuries or millenia. Not everyone takes the old testament from a literalist approach. And those that do pick and choose the bits they want to abide by. It wasn’t long ago that people used the church to justify their stances against inter racial marriage and for racial segregation.