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Your morning Briefing: Refugee fix: PM calls in doctors

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

Hello readers. Banks brace for a hammering as Ken Hayne prepares to release his report today, and Chris Mitchell on why the left of politics often ignores the story.

POOL PHOTOS FOR FAIRFAX AND AAP - PLEASE EMAIL ON -Commissioner Kenneth Hayne and Treasurer Josh Frydenberg with the final report from the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry, at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture Kym Smith
POOL PHOTOS FOR FAIRFAX AND AAP - PLEASE EMAIL ON -Commissioner Kenneth Hayne and Treasurer Josh Frydenberg with the final report from the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry, at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture Kym Smith

‘Brace for a hammering’

Banks are bracing for the biggest overhaul of their operations in generations with the release of the royal commission report today. Expect peerless coverage of this landmark report by The Australian’s team of political, business and economic writers.

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Prime Minister Scott Morrison attended the Opening Ceremony of MelbourneÕs Official 2019 Chinese New Year Festival at Queensbridge Square. Picture: Lawrence Pinder
Prime Minister Scott Morrison attended the Opening Ceremony of MelbourneÕs Official 2019 Chinese New Year Festival at Queensbridge Square. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

Refugee fix

Scott Morrison has bowed to demands for an independent medical review panel to vet asylum-seeker transfers. Simon Benson writes that the prime minister has gambled that it is politically safer to offer concessions than it is to face defeat in parliament.

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Tina Stephensen cries as she is rescued by a Swift Water Rescue Crew in Fraire Street, Hermit Park.  Picture: Zak Simmonds
Tina Stephensen cries as she is rescued by a Swift Water Rescue Crew in Fraire Street, Hermit Park. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Townsville swamped

A croc has been spotted in a Townsville street as a quarter of the city’s 82,000 homes face being swamped in the worst flood in its history.

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Television still shows a public stoush on Studio 10 over racism in Australia between media personalities Kerri-Anne Kennerley and Yumi Stynes on Monday 28 January 2019. Picture: Studio 10
Television still shows a public stoush on Studio 10 over racism in Australia between media personalities Kerri-Anne Kennerley and Yumi Stynes on Monday 28 January 2019. Picture: Studio 10

Ignoring the story

The left of politics used to be about a hand-up for the less privileged. Today, it’s more about ignoring the story to create its own narrative, writes Chris Mitchell.

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Australia's paceman Mitchell Starc (L) bowls to Sri Lanka's batsman Vishwa Fernando during day three of the second Test cricket match between Australia and Sri Lanka at the Manuka Oval Cricket Ground in Canberra on February 3, 2019. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE --
Australia's paceman Mitchell Starc (L) bowls to Sri Lanka's batsman Vishwa Fernando during day three of the second Test cricket match between Australia and Sri Lanka at the Manuka Oval Cricket Ground in Canberra on February 3, 2019. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE --

Starc, Khawaja get mojo back

Selectors were already discussing Usman Khawaja’s future before the enigmatic batsman was gifted another chance at the crease on Sunday. A chance he made the most of by scoring a century. Mitchell Starc made the most of the day too, reports Peter Lalor. Don’t miss the action from Day Four in Canberra in our live Test Match blog.

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Johannes Leak’s view

Johannes Leak Letters page cartoon for 04-02-2019Version: 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.
Johannes Leak Letters page cartoon for 04-02-2019Version: 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.
Jason Gagliardi

Jason Gagliardi is the engagement editor and a columnist at The Australian, who got his start at The Courier-Mail in Brisbane. He was based for 25 years in Hong Kong and Bangkok. His work has been featured in publications including Time, the Sunday Telegraph Magazine (UK), Colors, Playboy, Sports Illustrated, Harpers Bazaar and Roads & Kingdoms, and his travel writing won Best Asean Travel Article twice at the ASEANTA Awards.

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/briefing/your-morning-briefing-refugee-fix-pm-calls-in-doctors/news-story/b62147efccff9b1ad78801fd06dac06f