John Howard hits out over 'disgraceful' Essendon CEO saga

Former Australian Prime Minster John Howard has hit out over the controversy surrounding short-lived Essendon CEO, Andrew Thorburn.

Thorburn took a parting shot at Essendon and the public after standing down just one day after being appointed CEO at the AFL club, due to backlash over his involvement in a church with divisive views around abortion and homosexuality.

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Thorburn sensationally lasted just one day as Essendon's chief executive after swift criticism from the public, which included Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews.

The 57-year-old is chairman of the City on a Hill church, whose religious views on homosexuality and abortion are at odds with the values of Essendon, who only found out about his links to the church after his appointment.

Victoria's premier - who is also an Essendon member - was among those to slam the church’s views as “absolutely appalling”, and characterised by “hatred” and “bigotry”.

“I don’t support those views, that kind of intolerance, that kind of hatred, bigotry. It is just wrong," Mr Andrews said.

“To dress that up as anything other than bigotry is just obviously false.”

Following his departure from Essendon, Thorburn defended his association with the church and said it was wrong to condemn someone because of their beliefs - religious or otherwise.

"Today it became clear to me that my personal Christian faith is not tolerated or permitted in the public square, at least by some and perhaps by many. I was being required to compromise beyond a level that my conscience allowed," he said.

"People should be able to hold different views on complex personal and moral matters, and be able to live and work together, even with those differences, and always with respect. Behaviour is the key. This is all an important part of a tolerant and diverse society.

"Let me be clear - I love all people, and have always promoted and lived an inclusive, diverse, respectful and supportive workplace - where people are welcomed regardless of their culture, religious beliefs, and sexual orientation. I believe my record over a long period of time testifies to this.

"Despite my own leadership record, within hours of my appointment being announced, the media and leaders of our community had spoken. They made it clear that my Christian faith and my association with a Church are unacceptable in our culture if you wish to hold a leadership position in society."

John Howard condemns treatment of Andrew Thorburn

Speaking on Sky News, Howard echoed the views of Thorburn and said the way the former Essendon CEO was treated was "preposterous".

“I thought the treatment of Mr Thorburn was disgraceful, it can’t be excused, it can’t be explained away,” the former Prime Minister told Sky News’ Chris Kenny.

“The idea that because of a religious affiliation a person has, he is disbarred from holding a non-religious position for which he is apparently eminently qualified is quite preposterous and I don’t think it can be condemned strongly enough.”

Howard also went on to slam premier Andrews' comments about the Essendon controversy and said someone's religious beliefs should hold no sway over their ability to perform a job.

“I am appalled that the Premier of Victoria should have attacked this man’s association, I mean he didn’t say these things that the Premier was attacking,” Howard said.

“I thought it was against the spirit of this country that somebody’s religious beliefs should act as a barrier for them doing a job that they were completely qualified.

“And I am appalled at what has happened and I can’t condemn it strongly enough and I think the Australian community feels that way, and I think that those who think otherwise have pulled the wrong rein in a big way.”

Thorburn also warned that his messy situation at Essendon set a "dangerous" precedent in Australian sport around religious freedoms.

“It is troubling that faith or association with a church, mosque, synagogue or temple could render a person immediately unsuited to holding a particular role,” he said in a statement.

“That is a dangerous idea, one that will only reduce tolerance for others and diversity of thought and participation in our community and workplaces.

“True tolerance, inclusion and diversity also includes people of faith.

“Freedoms of thought, conscience, religion and association are fundamental human rights, explicitly recognised in Victorian law in our Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities and Racial and Religious Tolerance Act.

“I genuinely and passionately believe people can hold different views on complex personal and moral matters while being able to live and work together respectfully and harmoniously. That is true inclusion whereby our communities are enriched by difference.”

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