A Senate estimates inquiry was brought to a dramatic halt amid furious scenes when senior Labor Senator Stephen Conroy accused Lieutenant-General Angus Campbell of a ''political cover-up'' over last week's fatal violence on Manus Island.
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Riffing on the Hollywood film A Few Good Men, Senator Conroy asked General Campbell - the head of Operation Sovereign Borders - ''Can't we handle the truth?''
''It kind of sounds like a movie, Senator,'' General Campbell coolly replied.
''It is a movie, and we're living it, Colonel Jessup,'' Senator Conroy said - referring to the name of Jack Nicholson's character in the film.
''I mean seriously, you can't tell us the truth, you can't tell the Australian public the truth because you might upset an international neighbour. That's called a political cover-up,'' he said.
General Campbell replied: ''Senator, I feel I've explained the basis of my decisions …''
Senator Conroy replied: ''That's a political cover-up. You're engaged in a political cover up,'' while interrupting the General.
General Campbell said he took ''extreme offence'' at the comments.
Assistant Immigration Minister Michaelia Cash stormed out of the room and the estimates hearing was suspended by its chairman, Liberal Senator Ian Macdonald, who said: ''I require you to apologise, Senator Conroy.''
''You require me?'' Senator Conroy asked.
''Yes. I am ruling if you don't apologise I will not call you any more,'' Mr Macdonald said before suspending the session for nine minutes.
Nine minutes later, Senator Conroy withdrew his comments, and calm was restored.
