PM stands by sports minister over ASADA

Tony Abbott has defended his sports minister from criticism she hasn't taken strong enough action against the nation's anti-doping agency.

The prime minister described Sussan Ley as "calm, balanced and reasonable" - exactly the attributes needed to deal with the aftermath of ASADA's failure to secure anti-doping convictions against 34 past and present Essendon players by the AFL's anti-doping tribunal.

Mr Abbott also told Macquarie Radio on Thursday what was dubbed the "blackest day in sport" two years ago by the then Labor government seemed to be a case of "mountains made of molehills".