Key figures on the party’s left have failed to back Mr Shorten. Picture: Mark Stewart Source: News Corp Australia

There was no shouting showdown, no shredding of the Opposition Leader’s authority as the ALP national conference voted against vetoing his new policy of returning boat people to their transit country.

But at least three of his most senior shadow minister refused to support him. And that will create tension within the Opposition and encourage Government attacks on his leadership.

Mr Shorten’s relationship with Anthony Albanese — who has complained of an ambush at the conference — is expected to be in trouble.

Otherwise, politeness prevailed as the Melbourne conference voted down a left wing motion to insert in the party platform a veto on turning back boats.

The vote was lost on the hands and then on the voices. There was no count of delegates but it was obvious supporters for Amendment 232 had lost.

However, some of Mr Shorten’s senior left wing shadow ministers dodged personally supporting the leader’s position by giving their conference vote to proxies who voted to back the bans on turn backs..

They were Deputy Leader Tanya Plibersek and Labor Senate Leader Penny Wong.

Another left wing MP, infrastructure spokesman Anthony Albanese, did not speak in support of the left motion but voted in favour of it.

The only disruption in the session came when protesters with a banner reading “No Refugee Tow-Backs” took over much of the stage. They interrupted federal Labor MP Andrew Giles who wanted to do just that — pass a motion changing the platform to bar tow backs.

The banner wavers were chided by ALP president Mark Butler for preventing free debate: “We are a party with a pulse,” said Mr Butler, comparing Labor’s convention to the well-structured Liberal conference.

The critical element of Mr Giles’ motion read: “Labor rejects turning away boats of people seeking asylum. We believe it undermines the cooperation required to reach sustainable regional processing arrangements.”

He praised shadow immigration minister Richard Marles who in turn congratulated faction members opposed to his policy overhaul for a civil debate.

One of the strongest but most emotional contributions came from former Immigration Minister Tony Burke who said: “If we give hope to the (people smugglers’) trade we will end up helping less people.

“And hundreds will start the journey and never complete it.”

Mr Shorten had the final say before the vote and urged its defeat.