Your afternoon Briefing

Dutton dismisses Abbott’s calls to cut migration, Shorten says the PM “can’t wait to leave” and politicians farewell Nicholas Shehadie.

Good afternoon, readers. Peter Dutton has dismissed Tony Abbott’s calls to cut Australia’s migration numbers, Bill Shorten says he bets Turnbull “can’t wait to leave” and political leaders farewell Nicholas Shehadie.

Minister for Home Affairs Peter Dutton is seen during his appearance at the National Press Club in Canberra, Wednesday, February 21, 2018. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas) NO ARCHIVING

Dutton sets Abbott right

Peter Dutton has dismissed Tony Abbott’s calls to cut Australia’s migration numbers by 80,000 a year following Treasurer Scott Morrison smackdown of the former PM earlier today.

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Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten tours the One steel factory in Adelaide, Wednesday Sept., 21, 2016. Shorten is pressuring the federal government to match Labor's $100 million pledge to struggling steelmaker Arrium. (AAP Image/David Mariuz) NO ARCHIVING

‘PM can’t wait to leave’

Bill Shorten says he bets Malcolm Turnbull “can’t wait to leave” Australia as he flies out to the United States tonight amid the ongoing Barnaby Joyce scandal.

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Former Auburn Deputy Mayor Salim Mehajer leaves the Burwood Local Court in Sydney, Thursday, December 14, 2017. (AAP Image/Ben Rushton) NO ARCHIVING

Salim seeks bail

Controversial Sydney property developer Salim Mehajer has this morning asked a local court if he can make a bail application, despite having a separate Supreme Court date set for late next month.

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Acting NT Chief Minister, Nicole Manison addresses the media on Wednesday morning out front of the NT Parliament House with the NT Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw, regarding the rape of a 2 year girl in Tennant Creek. Picture: Justin Kennedy

‘We failed this child’

The Northern Territory government has ordered a review of the case of an Aboriginal toddler raped in Tennant Creek last week after acknowledging child protection services were aware she was at risk but failed to adequately help her.

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Former Prime Minister Bob Hawke with former NSW Governor Marie Bashir following the State Funeral of the late Nicholas Shehadie. Picture: AAP.

Leaders honour Shehadie

Former PM Bob Hawke was among a roll call of political leaders who turned out to the state funeral to farewell Nicholas Shehadie.