NRL calls for more Federal Government support in doping investigations

The NRL has called for Federal Government support for its investigations into doping within the sport while offering its own funding to help speed up the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority's (ASADA) current investigations.

NRL Chief Executive Dave Smith is to meet with ASADA Chief Executive Aurora Andruska, this Friday to work through the issues "as a matter of urgency".

Smith told Sydney newspaper The Daily Telegraph "ASADA has been given a huge task and it needs more resources to get it done as it only has a small unit for a very large task.

"They've got a bloody great big job and they need to make sure they are resourced to get it done.

"I have always said the ASADA investigation must run its course, but it also must have the capability to complete it in a reasonable time.

"We know there are extremely serious issues at stake and we are treating them as such. That is why it is absolutely critical ASADA have all the support they need."

While Smith has been in constant contact with ASADA over the issue, he said the last he heard from Federal Sports Minister Kate Lundy was "about 10 days ago" - before the latest saga occurred at the Cronulla Sharks - when he raised his concerns about how long the investigation was taking.

Senator Lundy has been keen to emphasise that the Federal Government did not sensationalise the issue of doping in sport with the release of the Australian Crime Commission 'Organised Crime and Drugs in Sport' report in February.

She told The Daily Telegraph "I am making sure I am well briefed and where it us up to."

Senator Lundy has also said that she would consider boosting the number of ASADA investigators, if the agency requested it but added that the Federal Government could not pressure ASADA to speed up its investigations.

Senator Lundy added "we will of course monitor ASADA's needs in that area. If they need further boosting we will of course look at it."

16th February 2013 - WORLD ANTI-DOPING AGENCY FEARS DOPING AND ORGANISED CRIME IN SPORT IS 'TOO BIG TO MANAGE'

7th February 2013 - DRUGS AND CRIME REPORT ROCKS AUSTRALIAN SPORT 

3rd February 2013 - GOVERNMENT ENDORSES BLUEPRINT TO PROTECT THE FUTURE OF AUSTRALIAN CYCLING

19th January 2013 - 'SERIAL CHEAT' ARMSTRONG’S DOPING ADMISSIONS QUESTIONED BY WADA PRESIDENT FAHEY

8th November 2012 - NEW UNIT TO PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF AUSTRALIA SPORT