Stuart Robert, the controversial former Liberal frontbencher, has sparked a new row after using Anzac Day to promote the benefits of the Turnbull government’s negative gearing policy for defence personnel.

In a Twitter post made while Anzac Day marches were occurring around the country, Mr Robert suggested that defence force personnel would benefit most from the government’s decision to retain negative gearing in its current form.

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While surgeons and other health practitioners are reputed to be the biggest beneficiaries from using negative gearing to reduce their tax bills, Mr Robert said there were more defence force members who derived benefits from the strategy.

The timing of the post prompted a wave of criticism on social media, with Mr Robert accused of disrespecting the tradition of insulating Anzac Day from party politics.

His comments were described by Labor supporters as “tacky” and “nasty”.

Mr Robert was the federal minister for veterans’ affairs until he resigned the post in February amid a controversy over whether he used his public office to promote a commercial deal between a state-owned Chinese enterprise and a mining company – Nimrod Resources – that is chaired by a friend.

The Australian Federal Police (AFO) is investigating Mr Robert’s role in the deal after it was revealed in March that he may have a private interest in a trust associated with Nimrod.

He has since apologised for the scrutinised tweet publicly.