(Transcript from World News Radio)
Stephen Conroy had accused General Angus Campbell of being involved in a political cover-up over details of the Coalition's controversial asylum seeker policy.
The General then told a fiery Senate Estimates Committee hearing he was seriously offended and wanted that placed on the public record.
Thea Cowie has the details of how the drama unfolded.
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CONROY: "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."
CAMPBELL: "I feel I've explained the basis of my decisions."
CONROY: "That's a political cover-up. You're engaged in a political cover-up."
MCDONALD: "Senator Conroy, I resent that. I don't know if the General does. To accuse a senior officer of a political cover-up is something you should apologise for. Is this the Shadow, you're kidding. Is this the Shadow defence spokesman?"
CONROY: "Time to call a spade a spade."
CAMPBELL: "Senator, I would like to put on the public record I take extreme offence at that statement you've made."
After that exchange between Senator Conroy and General Campbell, the Senate estimates committee session was adjourned for ten minutes.
Senator Conroy later withdrew his accusations, but would not apologise.
Less than 24 hours later, a much more subdued and measured Senator Conroy reappeared before the committee.
He told the hearing he has no criticism of defence personnel carrying out government orders.
"This government is allowing a stain to hang over our sevice personnel for refusing to allow a full accounting and rebuttal of accusations that are being made against service personnel. The majority of Australians do not support the secrecy with which this operation is being ordered to be conducted under by the government. And most importantly of all, no Australian wants to see the politicalisation of our armed services. This government is continuing to run this operation and hide behind the military."
Chief of Defence Force General David Hurley has told the hearing Senator Conroy's comments may have a long-term impact on General Campbell's reputation.
"I was surprised at the accusations made against Lieutenant-General Angus Campbell. I am pleased the accusations were withdrawn but unfortunately once said the shadow will linger. General Campbell has a reputation in Canberra, more widely in Australia and overseas of integrity, intellect and studied impartiality. He is widely respected across Australia's political divide."
Prime Minister Tony Abbott has labelled Senator Conroy's earlier outburst as a "brain snap" and he's calling for an apology.
He says if necessary, Opposition leader Bill Shorten should demand it.
"Let's face it. Senator Conroy isn't just any Senator. He's a very senior leader of the Labor Party in the Senate and he is the Shadow minister for defence. Under all the circumstances I think it would be big of Senator Conroy if he were to apologise. If he isn't big enough himself to apologise, I think a word in his ear by his leader would be right."
Palmer United Party MP Clive Palmer says he understands Senator Conroy's frustration.
"It's very disappointing that the military are brought into what is really a political fight and we shouldn't be using our military for that purpose. The Minister should have been at the inquiry, he should have been answering questions. We need to protect the integrity of the Australian army, the integrity of their role. We don't want to get them involved in politics in this country. We've seen what's happened in other countries where there military's been involved in politics."
The Australian Greens say Senator Conroy should be attacking the government, not the military.
"When it comes to what is happening in our name in island prisons, treatment of refugees, there is a political coverup going on. But it's ultimately the (Immigration) Minister Scott Morrison's responsibility. It's disappointing that the military have been implicated in it. At the end of the day, this is not a military and a border protection question. It's a humanitarian question."
Also at the Senate committee hearing, the Department of Immigration and Border Protection has spoken publicly for the first time about the deadly riot at the Manus Island detention centre.
Secretary Martin Bowles has told the inquiry Papua New Guinea police dog squads were sent to the perimeter of the detention centre in the hours before an Iranian asylum seeker was killed.
Mr Bowles says asylum seekers were throwing rocks and stones for several hours, and hundreds had escaped from the centre.
He says at that point, police fired warning shots.
BOWLES: "The indication at this point is that's when they discharged a gas canister and warning shots were fired. Again, I will stress that this is still to be tested."
SENATOR: "Who fired the warning shots?"
BOWLES: "The police."
Mr Bowles has also been questioned about allegations security staff at the Manus Island detention centre were involved in the riot.
He says he can't rule that out.
"I'm not in a position to guarantee at this point. Needless to say though, we have made it very clear, if there are suspicions within the contractor relations they will deal with that. They are acutely aware of their responsibilities."
Mr Bowles has defended his department, after Immigration Minister Scott Morrison admitted, five days later, that key information about the riot was initially inaccurate.
The Secretary says the Department always provides the best information it can and updates it when available.
He says he still doesn't know how the Iranian asylum-seeker died.
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