Federal Sport Minister Senator Kate Lundy has rubbished opposition suggestions they would shut down the Australian Crime Commission (ACC) investigation into Drugs in Sport as the Essendon football club braces itself for the partial release of the Switkowski Report on Monday.
The report into the Bombers' 'irregular practices' in terms of its 2012 supplement program was meant to be released last week but was reportedly postponed due to a legal challenge by Essendon's former high performance manager Dean Robinson.
And, as the story surrounding banned substances and supplements across all sports gets even murkier - with reports on Monday saying Racing Victoria is now looking into the alleged use of peptides on horse - Senator Lundy took up arms against a proposal to shut down the ACC inquiry.
Last Sunday, opposition Justice spokesperson Michael Keenan said if Tony Abbott came to power through the September 14 election then the new government would direct the ACC to use their resources to investigate 'serious criminals' as opposed to drugs in sport.
But Senator Lundy believes this is a short-sighted view.
"Well I think it's very unfortunate that the opposition chooses to be politicking around this issue," Senator Lundy exclusively told Sportal.
"This issue goes way beyond partisan politics.
"It's an issue that's been placed in the public domain by the independent Australian Crime Commission.
"I take that extremely seriously and I believe the vast majority of my parliamentary colleagues do too."
Keenan also took aim at Lundy over the large-scale press conference on February 7 when the ACC revealed their drugs in sport inquiry in conjunction with Lundy, Minister for Justice Jason Clare and the heads of various codes, including AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou and FFA boss David Gallop.
Keenan said that press conference unfairly tarnished many of the country's clean athletes as the 'government egged the pudding' while other commentators have described it as an election stunt as it came just after the September 14 poll was announced.
But Senator Lundy strongly denied this.
"There's absolutely no basis to that whatsoever," Senator Lundy declared.
"Again it's a very shallow attempt at politicking on a very serious issue.
"Everybody knows the press conference was the initiative of the Australian Crime Commission.
"I chose to be there because I have a responsibility on behalf of Australian sport to uphold its integrity and that was the motivation of the sports who also chose to attend that press conference.
"With regard to timing of that press conference, that was the decision of the Australian Crime Commission."
As the footy world awaits the first - reportedly edited - recommendations from the Switkowski report, Essendon chairman David Evans went on the offensive on Saturday to defend his club against suggestions their alleged banned substance use is influencing the Bombers' form this year.
"I can also promise you this," Evans said at the luncheon ahead of Essendon's unimpressive 39-point win over GWS.
"Whatever happened last year with what I conceded were irregular practices, there is no advantage to our players (this year), and this will be proven."
And Evans has received a high profile supporter, with former ASADA boss Richard Ings warning against such speculation in newspaper reports last week.
"I think that's very speculative because firstly these are only allegations, subject to an investigation," Ings told Sportal.
"We cannot be sure whether anybody has actually taken anything that they should not have otherwise taken.
"Even if they have, we don't know what the impact of those things may be on the person or what the longevity of the impact may well be.
"So I think it's important not to speculate and guess."