Good morning. The long-term impact of the Covid-19 pandemic is felt in many ways, from the economy to working from home. But our medical editor Melissa Davey has an exclusive story raising concerns about how personal data was treated during the crisis. She reports that the Victorian government – faced with spiralling cases in July 2020 – passed contact tracing information to the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission for use on the controversial data mining platform Palantir, in a move described by experts as “dubious” and “outrageous”. We also look at how the vaccine rollout numbers stack up ahead of a possible new wave of infections.
Peter Dutton has led tributes to former Liberal deputy leader Peter Reith, dubbed “warrior of the waterfront”, who has died aged 72. And Sri Lanka cricket has opened an investigation into player behaviour in Australia during the T20 World Cup.
Australia
Cop27 | Anthony Albanese has accused Peter Dutton of trying to score a “cheap point” by using the start of the Cop27 climate summit to demand Australia not compensate other countries for climate disasters. Experts have called for a crackdown on greenwashing by companies such as Woodside. You can find full coverage of the talks here.
Reith tributes | Peter Reith, the former Liberal MP and deputy party leader, has died aged 72 after suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.
Exclusive | The Victorian government sent Covid contact tracing data to the national crime authority for potential use by a data mining platform, Palantir, owned by billionaire US Republican donor Peter Thiel.
Secret ministry | Officials from Scott Morrison’s department asked their counterparts in the industry department to provide a briefing to the prime minister on the Pep-11 gas project in December 2021, because Morrison had designated himself the decision-maker.
Cricket inquiry | Sri Lanka Cricket is investigating “various alleged incidents” involving its players during the T20 World Cup. It comes as Danushka Gunathilaka appears in court today accused of sexual assault in Sydney.
World
America votes | Polling stations will remain open for several more hours in the US midterm elections that could decide the fate of Joe Biden’s presidency. Our colleagues in the US will be liveblogging the results as they come in later and you can find all our coverage here.
On the defensive | Russia is building more obstacle barriers to slow the advance of Ukrainian forces as it adopts more defensive tactics, according to the UK. A defence expert says the Ukrainians must prepare for a tough fight.
Qatar controversy | Unease over Qatar hosting the World Cup intensified after an ambassador for the tournament described homosexuality as “damage in the mind”. Former Fifa boss Sepp Blatter said awarding the emirate the competition had been a “mistake”.
Etruscan treasures | An “exceptional” trove of bronze statues dating back 2,300 years have been discovered in a network of baths built by the Etruscans in Tuscany.
Princess and the shaman | Norway is in shock after Princess Märtha Louise gave up her royal duties to focus on her alternative medicine business with her fiance, a Hollywood spiritual guru and self-proclaimed shaman.
Full Story
Cop27: greenwashing and lies – a chance for change?
Guardian Australia’s climate and environment editor, Adam Morton, explains what’s happened since Cop26, our current path to catastrophic heating, and what’s likely to be on the agenda over the next two weeks.
In-depth
With Australia consistently reporting more than 30,000 Covid cases a week, our data journalists have taken a look at the vaccine rollout. They find that Australia trails Chile, Japan, South Korea and Belgium per 100 population, but is ahead of the US and UK.
Not the news
There’s enough going on in the world to keep people awake at night at the moment without east coast Australians being driven “insane” at night by what they call a “devil bird”. But the unusual intensity of the koel’s calls this spring may be linked to climatic factors, experts believe.
The world of sport
Socceroos surprise | Teenager Garang Kuol is the surprise pick in Australia’s 26-man squad for the World Cup in Qatar, but there’s no place for Trent Sainsbury or in-form keeper Mitch Langerak.
T20 World Cup | Pakistan take on New Zealand in the first T20 semi-final in Sydney tonight after a “wild ride” to the last four.
NBA | Stephen Curry scored a season-high 47 points as Golden State beat Sacramento to end a five-game losing streak.
Media roundup
Many papers carry stories about the death of Peter Reith, the Howard-era Liberal minister. The Australian says he was Howard’s “waterfront warrior” for his 1998 fight against dockers’ union, while the Canberra Times leads on Peter Dutton’s description of Reith as a “great Australian”. The Age claims an exclusive with a claim that the Coles and Woolworths plastic bag recycling scheme has collapsed after the emergence of warehouse stockpiles. The West Australian reports that “hundreds of British bobbies” are rushing to sign up for the state’s police force as part of a recruitment drive. NT News rejoices in figures showing that the territory’s population of young people is booming.
What’s happening today
Press club | Megan Davis and Pat Anderson will discuss the establishment of a First Nations Voice enshrined in the constitution at the National Press Club.
Senate estimates | Hearings continue in Canberra for community affairs, economics, education and employment, and Dfat/defence.
Cassius case | Jack Steven James Brearley is in court in Perth over the alleged murder of 15-year-old Cassius Turvey.
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Bored?
And finally, 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.
