Australia's defence minister has angrily denied allegations that asylum seekers were abused by navy personnel tasked with turning back boats.
Senator David Johnston also accused the ABC of "besmirching" the navy's reputation by broadcasting the allegations, and dismissed the public broadcaster's apology.
"I am absolutely sick to the stomach that this iconic Australian news agency would attack the navy in the way that it has," he told reporters in Sydney on Friday.
"The good men and women of the Australian navy have been maliciously maligned by the ABC, and I am very dissatisfied of the very weasel words of apology that have been floated around."
Senator Johnston accused the ABC of mounting an "appalling" attack against the navy.
"I have not said much because, I have to confess, I was extremely angry. I required some time to cool off," he said.
The minister said the focus should be on the men and women who risk their lives in border protection operations, instead of "hearsay, innuendo and rumour" from desperate people.
"They are heroes. They have done a courageous - laden with integrity - difficult task thrust upon them by probably the greatest policy failure Australia has ever seen."
When asked why the federal government does not think the abuse allegations published by the ABC and Fairfax warrant an internal investigation, Senator Johnston said the navy had already reassured him the claims were baseless.
"I have discussed this matter with senior command. They have assured me that there is no substance to the allegations."
He said he was not aware of on water operational matters because they were the responsibility of border protection command.
