Your morning Briefing: Blame Shorten for boats: PM

Your 2-minute digest of today’s top stories and must-reads.

Hello readers. The PM says Bill Shorten is to blame for each new people-smuggling boat, and are the Greens the biggest bigots of all?

PM Scott Morrison during Question Time in the House of Representatives Chamber at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture Kym Smith

Blame Shorten for boats

The PM has declared every new people-smuggling boat arrival will be “on Bill Shorten’s head” after yesterday’s historic vote. Paul Kelly writes that Bill Shorten’s political gamble ensures border protection will be elevated as a frontline election issue. Dennis Shanahan argues that Labor has weakened laws that have stopped people-­smugglers, halted deaths at sea and put an end to the detention of 50,000 people. Keep up with all the latest from parliament in our live blog, PoliticsNow.

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CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 12: Independant Bob Katter speaks before Question Time on February 12, 2019 in Canberra, Australia. It is the first parliamentary sitting day for 2019. Senator Richard Di Natale is not supporting Labors amendments to Phelps refugee medical transfer bill. (Photo by Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images)

Bob’s your uncle

Maverick independent MP Bob Katter has rejected Labor’s push to sit in March. James Jeffrey, in Strewth, recounts how there was dignity, there was harmony and there was Katter.

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Greens leader Richard Di Natale speaks to the media during a press conference alongside Greens environment spokeswoman Sarah Hanson-Young in Adelaide, Friday, February 1, 2019. The Australian Greens have reiterated calls for a national royal commission into Murray-Darling Basin mismanagement. (AAP Image/Kelly Barnes) NO ARCHIVING , backing the South Australian Royal Commission and the environmental health of the River in Adelaide, Friday, February 1, 2019. (AAP Image/Kelly Barnes) NO ARCHIVING

Greens ‘bigots’

Greens Party members young and old stand out for their insidious form of anti-Semitism, writes Janet Albrechtsen.

“On the one hand, Greens spout sweet-sounding words about moral­ity, compassion and tolerance; on the other hand, the party endorses bigotry.”

Janet Albrechtsen

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St. George Illawarra Dragons player Jack de Belin arrives at Wollongong Local Court in Wollongong, Tuesday, February 12, 2019. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins) NO ARCHIVING

‘I’m not a rapist’

Graphic details of Jack de Belin’s alleged rape of a 19-year-old in Wollongong have emerged after he pleaded not guilty in court.

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Kudelka’s view

Jon Kudelka Letters cartoon for 13-02-19Version: Letters Cartoon (1280x720 - Aspect ratio preserved, Canvas added)COPYRIGHT: The Australian's artists each have different copyright agreements in place regarding re-use of their work in other publications.Please seek advice from the artists themselves or the Managing Editor of The Australian regarding re-use.