Tony Abbott's former chief of staff has taken a swipe at Malcolm Turnbull for skipping a repatriation ceremony for Vietnam War casualties.
Peta Credlin said she hoped the decision not to attend came from bad advice and not from the prime minister himself.
Meanwhile, she gave credit to his opponent, Bill Shorten, who has apologised for also skipping last week's ceremony.
"There is no excuse," Ms Credlin told Sky News on Monday night.
"If they're good enough to be sent by politicians, they're good enough to be welcomed home by politicians."
Mr Shorten admitted both he and Mr Turnbull might have got it wrong when they stayed away from the ceremony out of respect, concerned the "travelling circus" of the election campaign would detract from the dignity of the ceremony.
Ms Credlin said Mr Turnbull was also at risk of being perceived as scared if he declines to attend a people's forum with Mr Shorten in Queensland this week.
"It plays out badly because he's perceived as not wanting to hear from ordinary people," she said.
Mr Turnbull says he is looking at alternatives, such as a debate involving Facebook and a larger audience.
