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Reports of a pushback against a potential Royal Commission into veterans’ suicide are because the government doesn’t want such an inquiry “generating months and months of bad headlines,” according to James Morrow.

Pressure is mounting on the Federal government to launch a Royal Commission into veteran suicide with rates among returned soldiers twice that of the general population.

It comes as retired special forces commander Heston Russell criticised the Morrison government for its reluctance to hold a Royal Commission.

Mr Russell told Sky News last week the prime minister’s office was reluctant to call for a Royal Commission and cited evidence of staff within the PM’s office abusing other political staff for their MP’s decision to “cross the floor” and support a royal commission into veteran suicide.

“The prime minister himself has not met with the majority of these (MP’s) he’s sent a bunch of his other people – he has sent Peter Dutton out he has sent people to pull on the heart strings – he’s brought in those veteran members of his party to try and influence, to try and bully them, to try and coerce them”.

Sky News host Rita Panahi said the Royal Commission was a “matter of national importance” and the resistance to it was puzzling.

If you or anyone you know needs help:
Lifeline on 13 11 14
Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800
MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978
Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636
Headspace on 1800 650 890
ReachOut at au.reachout.com
Care Leavers Australasia Network (CLAN) on 1800 008