Thousands of Australians faced power outages and event disruptions due to severe weather conditions, while political controversies unfolded in the nation's capital. Queensland experienced significant thunderstorms leading to widespread power outages, and a music festival in Adelaide faced chaos from unexpected rain. Meanwhile, Microsoft is under scrutiny for allegedly misleading customers about its AI pricing, and an independent MP has proposed a bill to regulate lobbying practices.

Severe Weather Causes Power Outages
On Monday morning, approximately 26,000 households in southeast Queensland were left without power following a severe thunderstorm that produced wind gusts exceeding 109 km/h. Residents reported hailstones as large as 7 cm in some areas. The storm's impact was felt across greater Brisbane, with many residents recounting harrowing experiences. In Victoria, over 1,300 energy customers also faced outages after Melbourne recorded its wettest day in a year and a half. Power was restored to many by early afternoon.

Adelaide Music Festival Faces Stormy Start
The Harvest Rock music festival in Adelaide, which featured over 30 acts including The Strokes and MIA, encountered a chaotic beginning due to heavy rain and storms. Attendees were forced to evacuate the venue shortly after the festival commenced on Saturday. Despite the challenging conditions, the festival resumed, showcasing performances from various artists once the weather cleared.

Microsoft Faces Legal Action Over Pricing Practices
Microsoft is facing legal action from Australia’s consumer watchdog for allegedly misleading customers regarding its Microsoft 365 subscription pricing. The tech giant reportedly informed customers of a 45% price increase for its office suite, presenting two options: accept the new price or cancel. However, the watchdog claims Microsoft failed to disclose a third option that allowed customers to maintain the lower price by opting out of the AI add-on, Copilot.

Monique Ryan Proposes Lobbying Regulation
Independent MP Monique Ryan has introduced a private members' bill aimed at enforcing stricter regulations on lobbying practices in Australia. The proposed legislation includes a three-year ban on former ministers and senior public servants from lobbying in their previous government fields. Ryan highlighted that a significant portion of lobbyists registered in November 2023 were former politicians or public servants, raising concerns about the influence of past government officials on current policy-making.

Wrap-up
The combination of severe weather events, political controversies, and regulatory proposals highlights the current challenges facing Australia. As power outages and festival disruptions occur alongside legal disputes and lobbying reforms, the nation navigates a complex landscape of environmental and political issues.

Sources
theguardian.com

@hoju-korean.com Editorial Team