Where there is politics, there is passion, and an hour of rowdy debate over Labor's asylum seeker policy has brought forth strong emotions from the left and the right of the party.
About half a dozen protesters managed to take the stage on Saturday, where they unfurled a banner declaring "no refugee tow-backs" - in the process interrupting federal MP Andrew Giles who was, in fact, attempting to make Labor agree to just that.
Another group to the back of the conference room found their voice, chanting "you're a traitor", swearing and calling Labor leader Bill Shorten a "dumb racist".
But while attention-grabbing, these protests backfired - even observers among the Left faction were grumbling this was not what they came to the conference for; they wanted to hear the points of the debate made in peace.
"The Labor Party, unlike other parties, conducts our debates in the public eye," national ALP president Mark Butler told the more spirited participants at the convention, to an extended standing ovation from party members.
"What we do expect is some respect in return."
Butler said he had anticipated a robust debate "because we are a party that has a pulse".
And robust it was, with general applause and calls of "hear, hear" and "shame".
The speakers put their arguments clearly and emotionally, particularly Labor's most recent immigration minister, Tony Burke, and union boss Michele O'Neil, who received the most sustained applause of any speaker.
Shorten then stepped up to make the eighth and final contribution to the debate on asylum seekers, saying he wanted to explain his views to members.
And then it was on to the vote.
It appeared as if Butler was going to allow the turn-backs issue to be decided on voices but the observers at the back of the room found their voices and demanded a "show of hands" and "we want a vote".
After the Left lost its second motion, to close offshore detention centres that are not safe or humane, one incensed man stood up and shouted: "We're the members, you're supposed to listen to us."
Those around him tried to shush him, but he declared he was too angry to calm down.
And his was not the only discontent. Other members declared they would "turn in their cards" and cancel their party membership in outrage.
Such is the passion intrinsic to politics.
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