Australia news live: Asio warns politicians that internet-connected cars could be bugged; flood warnings after wild weather | Australia news

important events
Guardian Australia’s Full Story team picked up two awards at the inaugural Australian Voice Awards held at Carriageworks in Sydney last night.
Full Story took the award for best news and current affairs podcast (major), while Gina: Power, privilege and influence took the award for best investigative journalism podcast (major).
The Full Story is a daily news podcast where Guardian journalists take listeners behind the headlines. Gina: Power, privilege and influence was an investigative series about the life and influence of Australia’s richest person, Gina Rinehart.
Her exclusive podcast series Gina won the podakst award for best investigative journalism.
Flood warnings are issued in some states following severe weather conditions and heavy rains.
This morning the NSW SES issued a warning for parts of the Upper Hunter predicting heavy rainfall and possible flash flooding.
Tasmanian SES has issued a flood warning for Royal George, Avoca and surrounding low-lying areas, saying people in low-lying areas should monitor conditions and prepare to move to safety if conditions worsen.
We will update you on developments regarding the situation as the day progresses.
Asio warns MPs and public servants about privacy in internet-connected cars
Asio has warned politicians and public officials not to discuss sensitive government information on internet-connected vehicles due to the risk of electronic eavesdropping.
The country’s top spy agency said it was always a risk to discuss confidential or sensitive information outside the workplace, especially on tools that send real-time information to the manufacturer.
Deputy chief executive Lisa Alonso Love said in a budget forecast last night that the warning, delivered to the government at a time when demand for electric vehicles is rising, was not country of origin or automaker specific.
“Obviously, a connected car could have other vectors to collect this information, but these conversations should only occur in places set up for private conversations,” he said.
“People need to be aware of the issues they discuss in vehicles and know that they can get that information.”
Australia’s spy agency, the Australian Signals Directorate, has issued advice on the risks posed by connected vehicles.




