Morning everyone. It’s hard to say just yet what exact impact artifical intelligence might have on our lives but it’s already causing a headache for the government. Our smart data experts have figured out that the voice identification systems used by the agencies such as Centrelink and the ATO to control phone access to accounts can be duped by AI-generated audio. We’ve got the full exclusive story, plus the latest on the Aukus controversy, and why this Friday the Cure are not in love with ticket rorts.
Australia
Covid spike | New South Wales is experiencing a rise in Covid-19 cases, with one expert warning the data indicates early signs of a new wave with a “patchwork quilt” of variants.
Exclusive | A voice identification system used by the government has a serious security flaw, a Guardian Australia investigation has found. Centrelink and the ATO both give people the option of using a “voiceprint” to verify their identity over the phone. But using just four minutes of audio, our reporter was able to generate a clone of their own voice and use it, combined with their customer reference number, to gain access to their own Centrelink self-service account.
Aukus anger | Unions and business groups in Wollongong are angry about reports Port Kembla could be the east coast base for the subs, warning it could displace offshore wind and container terminal jobs. A Chinese embassy official asked Australian counterparts during an Aukus briefing whether the nuclear-powered submarines were intended for “sightseeing”, according to sources, causing confusion about whether it was meant sarcastically or not.
Voice progress | The two bills needed for the Indigenous voice referendum are on track for the coming parliamentary fortnight, ministers insist, despite its expert group of Aboriginal leaders still finalising its crucial advice to cabinet.
Spiritual cost? | A Liberal party candidate in the NSW election has shared a post online saying Christian parents who sent their children to public schools were making “the most costly spiritual decision they’ve ever made”.
World
Borne ultimatum | The French government has used special powers to force through a rise in the pension age to 64 amid chaotic scenes in parliament in which leftwing MPs sang the Marseillaise to stop the prime minister, Élisabeth Borne, from speaking. The reforms are seen as a decisive moment for President Emmanuel Macron.
Drone collision | A video released by the Pentagon shows the moments before a Russian fighter crashed into a $32m US Reaper drone after spraying it with jet fuel on Tuesday morning over the Black Sea.
Air power | Poland will deliver fighter jets to Ukraine in the next few days, marking a significant upward step in military backing for Kyiv in the lead-up to an expected counter-offensive. It comes as a UN-backed inquiry finds Russia has committed a wide range of war crimes in its attack on Ukraine.
Euro hike | The European Central Bank has raised interest rates across the eurozone by 0.5 percentage points, despite fears that higher borrowing costs could destabilise the financial system amid fears about Credit Suisse.
‘Sickened’ Cure | Robert Smith of the Cure has told fans he is “sickened” after fans complained of Ticketmaster’s additional fees on sales of tickets for the band’s US tour – which reportedly exceeded the face value of the ticket.
Full Story
Is Aukus here to stay and is it worth the risk? – with Lenore Taylor
Gabrielle Jackson talks to Guardian Australia’s editor-in-chief, Lenore Taylor, and head of news, Mike Ticher, about the need for scrutiny of the controversial $368bn Aukus submarine agreement.
In-depth
The new NRL and AFL seasons are up and running but the early excitement threatens to be overshadowed by continued concerns about concussion injuries. The AFL is facing lawsuits from two groups of former players but there is still no mention in its guidelines of the brain disease linked to contact sports – chronic traumatic encephalopathy – and NRL coaches have pushed back strongly against the introduction of independent concussion-spotting doctors, writes Stephanie Convery.
Not the news
After years of lobbying, quotas and mentorship, the symphony orchestras of Sydney and Melbourne have reached 50% female representation for new compositions for the first time. Kelly Burke looks at how the landmark was achieved and what it means for Australia’s female composers.
The world of sport
AFL | Richmond and Carlton shared the spoils in an exciting tied game to open the new AFL season at a packed MCG last night.
Women’s World Cup | Fifa have admitted defeat and dropped plans to include the Saudi tourist board as one of the sponsors of this year’s Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Formula One | The brother of a man executed in Saudi Arabia has accused the sport of being complicit in “heinous crimes” perpetrated by the state, which he says is using F1 to sportswash an oppressive crackdown on dissent.
Media roundup
The Sydney Morning Herald claims an exclusive with a vow by the treasurer to safeguard superannuation amid growing calls for a royal commission into pandemic-era schemes that allowed people to withdraw savings early. Myer is leaving the Queen Street mall in Brisbane in what the Courier-Mail says is the biggest shake-up of the precinct in years. The AFR says Australian regulators are watching the unfolding crisis at Credit Suisse carefully after the bank required an emergency loan. The West Australian says Perth hopes to become home to the planned naval nuclear school.
What’s happening today
Economy | Productivity Commission to release 1,000-page report on Australia’s productivity problems.
Transport | Hearing for lawsuits between RTBU and Sydney Trains over industrial action.
Coronavirus | Ruby Princess litigator in high court appeal bid.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day – with plenty more on the Guardian’s Puzzles app for iOS and Android. Until tomorrow.
