Premier Daniel Andrews hits back after being labelled an ‘overlord’ by Opposition Leader Matthew Guy over Essendon saga

Premier Daniel Andrews has defended his public commentary on the Essendon Football Club’s leadership turmoil after being labelled an “overlord” by Matthew Guy.

Andrew Thorburn resigned as Essendon’s chief executive just a day after taking on the role due to his links to a church which has controversial views on abortion and homosexuality.

On Tuesday – prior to Mr Thorburn’s departure – the Premier said the views were “absolutely appalling” and that “kind of intolerance and hatred is just wrong”.

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Later that afternoon Mr Guy told 3AW he doesn’t see the need for politicians to act as overlords on who companies hire and fire.

“I don’t think anyone at all would endorse any kind of hate speech or any kind of division that’s being promoted, whether it’s in a religious organisation or anything else, but I do think football clubs can go and manage their own affairs without intervention from politicians telling them how to do their job,” he said.

“We’ve got laws in place in the state to protect everyone from hate speech and intolerance, and that’s a good thing.

“But at the end of the day, who organisations external of government hire and fire, is up to them, and I just don’t see why politicians, particularly the Premier, have to be an overlord, a commentator on everybody else’s organisation when they run properly their own.”

In responding to Mr Guy’s comments on Wednesday, the Premier said he was simply asked a question on the matter.

“Who the CEO of Essendon Football Club is a matter for the board of the Essendon Football Club,” he said at a press conference on Wednesday.

“I was asked a question and I answered it.

“People can get all upset about the fact that someone resigned. I’m much more focused on the fact that people are harming themselves and, sometimes, taking their own lives because of bigotry and prejudice.”

Mr Andrews urged people not to “lose perspective” about this.

“This is not about who runs a footy club. This is about issues that are much much bigger than that and you will always see me speak out against that kind of thinking,” he said.

“This decision has been made. I had no involvement in appointing him and I had no involvement in him resigning. They’re his choices and choices for the board.

“But my position on these issues is crystal clear and it always will be and that’s what you should get out of leaders — crystal clear positions when it comes to these really serious issues.”

In a statement Essendon said it accepted Mr Thorburn’s resignation and it was committed to providing an “inclusive, diverse and a safe Club, where everyone is welcome and respected”.