Senator pushes for Essendon Senate inquiry

An independent senator wants parliament to investigate the Essendon drugs saga and seek answers to serious questions about doping in Australian sports.

John Madigan's push follows an admission by former Bombers coach James Hird that he should have known more about an injections program at Essendon in 2102 that has led to the suspension of 34 current and former players.

"A Senate inquiry is entirely appropriate to try to unravel the onion-layers of complexity surrounding this case," Senator Madigan said in a statement on Monday.