In his first public comments about the scandal, Anderson was also critical of the Federal Government for not enacting new coercive powers to compel controversial sports scientist Stephen Dank to speak with investigators.
In a column in The Sunday Age, Anderson suggested ASADA might have baulked at recommending charges be laid against Essendon because it was "embarrassed by ambiguous advice" given to the Australian Crime Commission about the status of banned anti-obesity drug 9604, which the Bombers are alleged to have been given by Dank.
Hird backs Dons for finals
"The Sports Minister, Don Farrell, has the power under the ASADA Act to request relevant information from ASADA and make it public. He and ASADA have said little and now owe the sporting public some answers," Anderson wrote.
"The first is why ASADA issued an interim report without having spoken to the key witness, Stephen Dank ... Farrell and ASADA have trumpeted new coercive powers they have had since August 1 to compel Dank and any other witnesses to testify, but apparently haven't used them."
Anderson, a lawyer, also said ASADA had failed to explain why it hadn't recommended charges when there was sufficient evidence to support them. Part of that evidence, Anderson said, was an admission from Bombers captain Jobe Watson that he believed he was administered AOD-9604.
"ASADA is as aware as anyone that the days of relying solely on positive tests are long gone and the ability to use other evidence is now the key. Lance Armstrong is a classic example," he said.
Anderson said Essendon players "may well be undeserving of punishment", but this was only relevant to determining a penalty, not whether charges should be laid in the first place.
"The Sports Minister, Don Farrell, has the power under the ASADA Act to request relevant information from ASADA and make it public. He and ASADA have said little and now owe the sporting public some answers," Anderson wrote.
"The first is why ASADA issued an interim report without having spoken to the key witness, Stephen Dank ... Farrell and ASADA have trumpeted new coercive powers they have had since August 1 to compel Dank and any other witnesses to testify, but apparently haven't used them."
Anderson, a lawyer, also said ASADA had failed to explain why it hadn't recommended charges when there was sufficient evidence to support them. Part of that evidence, Anderson said, was an admission from Bombers captain Jobe Watson that he believed he was administered AOD-9604.
"ASADA is as aware as anyone that the days of relying solely on positive tests are long gone and the ability to use other evidence is now the key. Lance Armstrong is a classic example," he said.
Anderson said Essendon players "may well be undeserving of punishment", but this was only relevant to determining a penalty, not whether charges should be laid in the first place.
No deal done with Bombers: Demetriou
He also said ASADA was yet to explain "why those responsible for administering banned drugs to players are not facing charges".
"If the answer is that this is only an interim report, why issue an interim report at all?" he wrote.
"Shouldn't the issue of any charges under the anti-doping code be resolved before any related disciplinary proceedings? The thoroughness of an investigation is measured not by how many witnesses you have spoken to but the extent you have pursued every avenue to get to the bottom of what happened."
Anderson also highlighted that Mark Dreyfus, Australia's Attorney-General, had stated that a version of ASADA's interim report would be made public.
"That was more than a week ago," Anderson said.
"In the absence of sensible commentary from ASADA or the Sports Minister, the space has been filled with more rumour, speculation and leaks.
"It has been said that this whole malaise is not what sport is all about. It should be about fun, kids and setting a good example. And that's exactly why it is crucial that ASADA punishes any wrongdoers and restores public confidence that the integrity of sport will be protected."
He also said ASADA was yet to explain "why those responsible for administering banned drugs to players are not facing charges".
"If the answer is that this is only an interim report, why issue an interim report at all?" he wrote.
"Shouldn't the issue of any charges under the anti-doping code be resolved before any related disciplinary proceedings? The thoroughness of an investigation is measured not by how many witnesses you have spoken to but the extent you have pursued every avenue to get to the bottom of what happened."
Anderson also highlighted that Mark Dreyfus, Australia's Attorney-General, had stated that a version of ASADA's interim report would be made public.
"That was more than a week ago," Anderson said.
"In the absence of sensible commentary from ASADA or the Sports Minister, the space has been filled with more rumour, speculation and leaks.
"It has been said that this whole malaise is not what sport is all about. It should be about fun, kids and setting a good example. And that's exactly why it is crucial that ASADA punishes any wrongdoers and restores public confidence that the integrity of sport will be protected."
Ben Collins is a journalist with AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter at: @AFL_BenCollins
