Your afternoon Briefing

Here's what made news today, including Bill Shorten’s decision on the sex ban and arguably the worst anthem of all time.

Good afternoon, readers. Here's what made news today, including Bill Shorten’s decision on the sex ban and arguably the worst anthem of all time.

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Leader of the Opposition Bill Shorten, and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition Tanya Plibersek hold a door stop in Melbourne, Friday, February 16, 2018. Bill Shorten says both Malcolm Turnbull and Barnaby Joyce are not fit to hold their offices as the leaders exchange a war of words through the media. (AAP Image/David Crosling) NO ARCHIVING

Shorten ‘won’t overturn sex ban’

Bill Shorten says he won’t overturn Malcolm Turnbull’s ministerial sex ban if Labor is elected.

Ending four days of equivocation, Mr Shorten said Foreign Minister Julie Bishop had “made some sense” this morning, when she stopped short of endorsing the sex ban but said she would abide by it, arguing there are still areas of a politician’s life that “are and should remain private”.

“She said she will have a go at this code of conduct. So will Labor.”

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Channel Seven reporter Laura Banks, left, and Salim Mehajer.

Salim Mehajer back in court

Salim Mehajer asked a TV reporter to join him in the back of a car before jamming her arm in the door, a court has heard.

Channel Seven reporter Laura Banks told the court her hand was bruised and she suffered a back injury.

The ex-Auburn deputy mayor, who is currently in custody after being arrested last month over alleged insurance fraud, was present in the court under police guard and appeared to take notes during the proceedings.

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Singer Fergie performs the national anthem prior to an NBA All-Star basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 18, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Is this the worst anthem of all time?

Black Eyed Peas singer Fergie has stolen the show at the NBA All-Star game with a mangled rendition of the Star Spangled Banner.

Some players were caught on camera stifling laughter and others appeared not to know where to look.

Take a look at the footage here. What do you think? Something different or total trainwreck?

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The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the BAFTAS.

Kate slammed for BAFTA dress

Although the Duchess of Cambridge is normally lauded for her discreet elegance, her choice of dress at the BAFTA has been criticised.

Female attendees had been asked to wear black to support the #MeToo and Time’sUp anti-sexual harassment campaigns, but Kate turned up in a deep green gown.

The Royal family are expected to be seen as apolitical and deliberately avoid making political gestures or statements, but it hasn’t stopped the Twitter outrage.

One user wrote: “It’s not like she was being asked to turn up dressed as a whoopee cushion or in bright yellow.”