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Cyber security experts are warning as much as 70 per cent of the internet could be affected by a web vulnerability uncovered by Artificial Intelligence.
In August, security researchers using OpenAI's models uncovered two longstanding flaws in a widely used coding language called PHP, which powers much of the internet.
If left unfixed, experts say the flaws would allow hackers to easily gain access to millions of websites, and the information held on their servers.
Speaking with SBS, Cybersecurity Expert Troy Hunt says Australia has joined other countries in advising web developers to apply urgent updates, and consider taking down websites until safety can be guaranteed.
" In terms of urgency, it means as soon as possible. And indeed, this is why not just the Australian government, but many governments around the world have just taken resources offline until they can patch it. Uh, they, they figure lack of availability is actually a, a better outcome than taking the risk of it remaining online."
The Australian Signals Directorate, which manages cybersecurity threats, said its website was among domestic government sites affected by the issue.
The former member for Indi Cathy McGowan says her community is grappling with complicated emotions, after the alleged attack on their current MP Helen Haines.
Ms McGowan is a close friend of Dr Haines and the first federal Independent MP in the electorate.
She says she was holding a workshop on preferential voting ahead of Victoria's upcoming state election when she heard news of the alleged attack.
Speaking with SBS, she says her initial reaction was disbelief and fear over Helen's condition, and in the days following complex layers of emotions have set in.
"But my reaction now, as I've been out talking to my community and, and listening to people, there's so much triggering that's happening. It's like shock. And then there's sort of another overlay, is if it can happen to Helen, it can happen to anybody. And we no longer think in rural and regional Australia, with our strong communities, that we're immune. It was one of us, in our community, by one of us, and saved by us as well. "
Federal MP Helen Haines remains in a critical condition in hospital, three days after being struck by a car outside her electorate office in regional Victoria.
Her Chief of Staff, Kaz Rourke, says most of Helen's staff were in the office when the incident occurred and were involved in the immediate care of the MP.
She says it's been deeply traumatic but the team is receiving a lot of support.
She says the office remains closed but plans are being made to re-open later next week.
Ms Rourke says the team's with Helen, with Phil, their children and their family.
Australia and Timor Leste have signed a defence deal to boost cyber and maritime security, as Canberra seeks to curb China's influence among its island neighbours.
Under the agreement, Australia is set to provide $62 million for cyber security, maritime security, infrastructure, disaster relief and training, and increase engagement in defence exercises.
Defence Minister Richard Marles says Australia has also agreed to give East Timor three additional police vessels.
Australia has previously said it is concerned at the rapid expansion of China's navy and the presence of Chinese police in several Pacific Island countries.
This latest deal joins a series of other defence and economic agreements Australia has struck with Pacific Islands including Vanuatu, Fiji and Papua New Guinea, in an effort to limit China's security role.
A parliamentary committee is examining how artificial intelligence can be used to give more people access to help with legal issues and navigating the justice system.
At a hearing in Melbourne today, the joint select committee on artificial intelligence heard there is a need for legal services that's not being met by either the traditional industry or AI agents.
CEO of one of Australia's largest law firms, Maurice Blackburn, Jacob Varghese, says the gap between need and access needs to be addressed.
But he says AI in its current form is not the answer.
"There is a role for the profession for massively reducing the gap. At the moment there is a big gap between what Chat GPT can provide, which is, has a big risk of being the wrong advice, has a big risk of telling you you have a claim when you don't, because it is wanting to please the customer but is very, very cheap. And, to be frank, Maurice Blackburn which will give you very good advice and which will tell you the bad news, even if you don't want to hear it - but is expensive."
It's just over a week until the start of the Youth Olympics in Senegal and the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic flame is on its final journey ahead of a fortnight of action.
This will be the first time an Olympic sporting event has ever been held on the continent of Africa.
The theme is 'pass the energy ', and the flame has been on the road for over a month, visiting all 14 regions of Senegal.
Thousands have come to the streets to be part of the Olympic buzz, and torchbearers have spoken of their pride at hosting the Youth Olympic Games and inspiring young people.
