Conroy accuses commander of border protection cover-up

Lieutenant General Angus Campbell, the military commander in charge of the Government's asylum seeker boats mission, has been accused of a "political cover-up" by Labor's defence spokesman.

Senator Stephen Conroy made the controversial comment - which he was later forced to withdraw - in a heated exchange in a Senate Estimates committee looking into Operation Sovereign Borders.

Senator Conroy compared the level of secrecy about "operational" incidents with that surrounding SAS activities behind enemy lines during the 2003 war in Iraq.

He then referenced a quote from the movie A Few Good Men, asking General Campbell: "Can't we handle the truth?"

Senator Conroy later refused requests to apologise, and General Campbell responded by asking to put his "extreme offence" on the public record.

more: Conroy accuses commander of border protection cover-up

Lieutenant General Angus Campbell, the military commander in charge of the Government's asylum seeker boats mission, has been accused of a "political cover-up" by Labor's defence spokesman.

Senator Stephen Conroy made the controversial comment - which he was later forced to withdraw - in a heated exchange in a Senate Estimates committee looking into Operation Sovereign Borders.

Senator Conroy compared the level of secrecy about "operational" incidents with that surrounding SAS activities behind enemy lines during the 2003 war in Iraq.

He then referenced a quote from the movie A Few Good Men, asking General Campbell: "Can't we handle the truth?"

Senator Conroy later refused requests to apologise, and General Campbell responded by asking to put his "extreme offence" on the public record.