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Opposition leader Peter Dutton said the coalition supports “reasonable steps” the government is taking in its response to the Royal Commission on Defense and Veterans Suicide following the release of this morning’s interim report.

Dutton said, “This is a national tragedy, and frankly a problem that has been created for decades, dating back to the Vietnam War, when those returning home were treated so poorly.

“The way our country supports our veterans should be a source of national pride, not shame.

“I want to be able to help governments take any reasonable steps to reduce, and hopefully eliminate, the number of people who attempt suicide.”

Dutton called on the government to return the veterans’ administrative portfolios to the cabinet.

As to whether the coalition that was in power from 2013 until this year’s federal election would be held accountable for the problems facing veterans, he said it was a “decades old” issue and said, “I don’t think so. Refusing to be drawn out, saying ‘no… about politics’.