Attorney General Christian Porter says the government is not giving up on creating a commission for veteran suicide prevention despite failing to win support in the Senate.
The bill for the new commission was withdrawn on parliament's last sitting day for the year.
Mr Porter said the government would continue to work over the summer break to secure support.
"[It] is very disappointing for the government," he said. "It's particularly disappointing for veterans and for the families of veterans who are not going to see the establishment of what would be a very, very powerful and important body."
The proposed commission would have powers equivalent to a royal commission, the government touted, and have them in perpetuity and funded through ongoing legislation, making it a superior alternative to a temporary royal commission.
"It is, I think, a very fit-for-purpose and important model which would be to the enduring benefit of the veterans' community and their families, and has very strong support from key stakeholders ... perhaps if we'd had more time, it may have been possible to secure that support but it has been a matter of intense discussions with the crossbench and others."
READ MORE:
He added that ACT magistrate Dr Bernadette Boss would continue her role as interim national commissioner.
"We will soon receive advice on how we can ensure in this interim period that Dr Boss' work goes on. That's very important preliminary and preparatory work, and some of it is quite substantial in the issues she is dealing with.
"We very much don't want veterans to be left over the summer period, without someone working in their best interest."
Labor's veterans affairs spokesman Shayne Neumann said the government should put aside its stubbornness and listen to parents who have lost their sons and daughters to suicide, like Julie-Ann Finney and Karen Bird, who have sought a royal commission.
"This is a statement of surrender," Mr Neumann said earlier on Thursday.
"The government hasn't listened. Their glorified coroner won't do it. It's an individual case by case analysis. It's simply not good enough. Listen to the families, Prime Minister. Reach across the aisle. We will support you, Prime Minister, in a royal commission. Let's deal with this issue now."
Late amendments from the government on Tuesday to enhance the independence of the commission were intended to win cross-bench supporters after Labor announced it would oppose the commission.
In response, cross-bench Senator Jacqui Lambie described the changes as a "thick coat of nonsense".
- Support is available for those who may be distressed by phoning Lifeline 13 11 14; Mensline 1300 789 978; Kids Helpline 1800 551 800; beyondblue 1300 224 636; 1800-RESPECT 1800 737 732.
Harley Dennett
Former federal politics bureau chief for the Canberra Times, via a career that's taken me from rural Victoria to Washington DC. Telling the stories of my local LGBTI community brought me to political journalism, where I've covered eight budgets, four national elections in two countries, Defence, public service and international governance.
Former federal politics bureau chief for the Canberra Times, via a career that's taken me from rural Victoria to Washington DC. Telling the stories of my local LGBTI community brought me to political journalism, where I've covered eight budgets, four national elections in two countries, Defence, public service and international governance.
