Bill Shorten to hear case for ASADA inquiry

OPPOSITION Leader Bill Shorten has agreed to meet with a group fighting for an inquiry into the handling of the Essendon drugs saga.

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OPPOSITION Leader Bill Shorten has agreed to meet with a group fighting for an inquiry into the handling of the Essendon drugs saga.

Senate crossbenchers have expressed support for a probe into the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority.

And, while both major parties are reluctant to trigger a parliamentary investigation, Mr Shorten — whose Maribyrnong electorate includes the Essendon FC heartland — was on Friday open to talking to the campaigners.

Opposition leader Bill Shorten has agreed to meet with a group fighting for an inquiry into the handling of the Essendon drugs saga. Picture: AAP/Mick Tsikas

“This saga has dragged on far too long, to the detriment of all involved. I feel for the players and most of all, I feel for the fans. They deserved better than this,’’ he said.

“I’d be surprised if the number one priority for players, Bombers fans and AFL supporters in general wasn’t to get on with the game.”

But asked whether he would hear a submission from the Justice For The 34 group pursuing an inquiry, he said: “I’m always happy to meet with groups who have issues to discuss where I can.”

Labor senator Kimberley Kitching has called for an inquiry into the AFL-ASADA investigation following the emergence of a tape recording of a Bombers meeting at the height of the crisis.

The 2013 recording of former officials James Hird, Paul Little, Mark Thompson and Danny Corcoran laid bare their fury at the league and then deputy chief Gillon McLachlan.

McLachlan on Friday said he was “entirely comfortable” with how he and the league had dealt with the scandal.

Gillon McLachlan says he is “entirely comfortable” with how he and the league had dealt with the scandal. Picture: Sarah Matray

“You could have recorded that at the AFL. It’s just interesting because people are yelling and screaming,” McLachlan told SEN.

“It was an incredibly tumultuous period ... We’re entirely comfortable with the process and that’s been examined in various forms.”

SECRET DONS TAPE: REACTION TO EXPLOSIVE RECORDING

But Senator Nick Xenophon said: “There are simply too many unanswered questions, too many ruined reputations seeking address, for this matter not to go to an inquiry. People are saying that the ASADA investigation and the whole process has been tainted and we need to get to the truth of what happened.”

Senator David Leyonhjelm said: “There’s a smell about this issue and I’d support an inquiry no problem.”

A spokesman for Senator Pauline Hanson said she would back it if there was “overwhelming support”, adding: “It is quite clear that the body responsible for resolving this issue hasn’t.”

Senator Derryn Hinch said he would “look at it”.

Greens leader Richard di Natale, who has been a prominent voice calling for an inquiry, could not be reached.

The J34 group said on Friday: “We are not surprised with these revelations. We have always maintained that Essendon, the players and their coach were targeted. The rights of the players, the club and their coach were overridden by the AFL’s obsession with their image.”

A spokesman for Sport Minister Greg Hunt said: “The minister has sought advice from the department as to whether material provided comprises any new and significant material. ”

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