Andrew Thorburn has resigned as Essendon chief executive just 24 hours after his appointment, following backlash over his role as chairman of the City on a Hill church, which holds views on homosexuality and abortion that the AFL club said were in 'direct contradiction' to its values.
Essendon president Dave Barham said the club acted immediately after a 2013 sermon from a City on a Hill pastor came to light on Tuesday morning. The church's website includes statements equating abortion with concentration camps and claiming 'practising homosexuality is a sin'. Barham stated that Thorburn could not continue in dual roles, and the board respected his decision to resign.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews labelled the church's views 'absolutely appalling', while Port Phillip deputy mayor Tim Baxter said he would rescind his club membership as a bisexual man who no longer felt welcome. The Purple Bombers diversity group welcomed Thorburn's resignation.
Thorburn, a former National Australia Bank chief executive, said he had never heard such views expressed during his two-year tenure on the church board and that he did not personally hold them. He acknowledged the conflict of interest and offered his resignation. Acting CEO Nick Ryan will continue in the role while the club seeks a permanent replacement.
