The Morrison government has outlined a suite of beefed-up powers aimed at convincing the Senate to support establishing the commission.

It is promising the reinforce the independence of the commissioner and review their role after three years.

The commissioner will also be able to make recommendations about support services for families and others affected by suicide.

Attorney-General Christian Porter said the amendments responded to concerns raised by defence families and veterans' groups.

He wants the Senate to back the proposed watchdog this week.

"The national commissioner is a critical reform that addresses the unacceptably high rates of suicide among Australian Defence Force members and veteran communities in Australia," Mr Porter said on Tuesday.

"That work is simply too important to delay."

Last week, Labor announced it would not support the legislation in its current form, a position also held at the time by the Greens and Senate crossbenchers Stirling Griff, Rex Patrick and Jacqui Lambie.

Mr Porter is hoping expanding the scope, powers and independence of the commissioner will be enough to change their minds.

But Senator Lambie is still not convinced, describing the changes as a "thick coat of nonsense" and the broader proposal as a dog's breakfast.

She has argued nothing short of a royal commission into veteran suicides will suffice.

Mr Porter is offering to give the commissioner the same standing as other independent statutory bodies, such as the auditor general.

"Clarifying the commissioner's powers to review attempted and suspected suicides will also ensure that the lived experiences of veterans and their families are appropriately considered," he said.

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Australian Associated Press