Prime Minister Scott Morrison has slammed Opposition leader Bill Shorten, saying he doesn’t have the “ticker” to run the country.

It comes after Mr Shorten joined the Greens and Independents to pass legislation giving sick asylum seekers easier access to Australia.

The PM tells Ben Fordham it’s a reckless move which could encourage illegal boat arrivals.

“This is the great problem I have with Labor, they just never ever, ever learn the lesson.”

He says “the great risk we’re now facing” is that the boats will start.

“I’m going to do everything to make sure that doesn’t happen.

“The only thing standing between a boat and Australia is me and Peter Dutton and our government.

“They know our resolve, but if we were not there I can guarantee you they would be coming thick and fast.”

I’m told Australia’s intelligence agencies believe “the beast is stirring” since the passage of medevac bill. They are trying to ensure “the beast doesn’t wake up”. (The beast is the people smuggling trade fyi). Details on Sky after QT.

— David Speers (@David_Speers) February 13, 2019

“What my job is is to make sure the beast doesn’t wake up, but I can tell you Bill Shorten’s given it a big poke… and he’s done it willfully.

Click PLAY below to hear the full interview 

Former prime minister Tony Abbott played a vital role in stopping the boats in 2013.

He tells Ben Fordham “the only way to stop the deaths, and keep them stopped, is to keep strong bored protection in place”.

“If you lose control of your borders, ultimately sooner or later, you lose control of the country.

“It’s not about winning an election so much as it’s about doing the right thing by our country.

“Our first duty is to Australia and Australians.”

Click PLAY below to hear the full interview