Connect with us

National News

TGA Lacks Oversight on Medicinal Cannabis Adverse Events

Published

on

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) of Australia recently admitted that although it received over 600 reports of adverse events related to medicinal cannabis between 2022 and 2025, most products have not been formally investigated. These adverse events include psychotic episodes, worsening anxiety, hallucinations, and even suicidal thoughts. The TGA claims that no “safety signals” have been detected, so a comprehensive investigation is deemed unnecessary.

Medical professionals and patient groups have expressed strong concern. The Australian Medicinal Cannabis Association (AMCA) stated that without transparent investigations and publicly available data, patients and doctors cannot fully assess the safety of products or determine whether to continue use or adjust dosages. Experts warn that while medicinal cannabis is legal, its long-term effects on different populations, especially regarding mental health and psychological side effects, are not fully studied.

Statistics show that there are currently over 1,000 medicinal cannabis products available in Australia, but only two are undergoing formal safety investigations. Among the reports, 50 cases involved psychotic episodes and 14 involved suicidal thoughts, indicating that some patients may face serious health risks.

The TGA has said it is reviewing its regulatory approach but has not announced a specific timeline or scope for the review. Psychiatrists suggest that the government should establish a more comprehensive post-market monitoring system, requiring doctors and patients to report all adverse events and make the data transparent to detect issues early. Patient advocacy groups call for clear guidance and regulatory mechanisms to ensure patients can benefit from treatment without being threatened by potential side effects.

Additionally, the medical community is concerned that lack of oversight could lead to unlicensed or low-quality products circulating in the market, increasing patient risk and undermining trust in healthcare. Without timely action, the legalization of medicinal cannabis could be hampered by negative incidents, affecting both the industry and public trust in the long term.

Continue Reading

National News

ACCC Sues Microsoft for Misleading Australian Consumers

Published

on

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) recently filed a lawsuit against Microsoft, accusing the company of misleading approximately 2.7 million Australian personal and household users after integrating the AI assistant Copilot into Microsoft 365 subscription plans on October 31, 2024.

The ACCC stated that Microsoft’s promotion only informed users that they would need to accept the new Copilot-inclusive plan and pay a higher fee, or cancel their subscription. It did not clearly indicate that users could retain the original “Classic Plan” without Copilot. This option was only presented when users started the cancellation process, leading many consumers to upgrade or cancel without full knowledge.

Microsoft responded that it will carefully review the ACCC’s claims, emphasizing that consumer trust and transparency are priorities and that it will cooperate with regulators to ensure all practices comply with legal and ethical standards.

The ACCC is seeking court orders, including fines, injunctions, consumer compensation, and litigation costs. Experts say that if Microsoft is found guilty of misleading behavior, it could face significant fines and set an important precedent for transparency in subscription services and AI promotion globally.

Continue Reading

National News

Australian Government Refuses Copyright Exemption for AI Training

Published

on

The Australian government recently stated it will not grant copyright exemptions to AI companies, prohibiting the use of local creative works for AI model training without authorization. This position responds to opposition from the creative industries to the Productivity Commission’s proposal, which suggested that allowing AI to perform “text and data mining” could potentially generate up to AUD 116 billion in economic growth.

The government emphasized that copyright protection remains a cornerstone for safeguarding creators’ income and the creative ecosystem. Attorney-General Michelle Rowland noted that while Australia will explore adjustments to AI and copyright laws, it will not currently consider any exemption for AI training. She also revealed a dedicated taskforce has been established to assess AI’s potential impact on the creative industry and economy, seeking to balance innovation with protection of creators’ rights.

Creators and artists welcomed the move, saying it prevents large tech companies from exploiting copyrighted content without compensation. However, some tech companies and industry observers warned it may slow AI development and place Australia at a disadvantage in the global AI competition.

Continue Reading

National News

Jacinta Nampijinpa Price Defends Herself in Federal Court Defamation Case

Published

on

Northern Territory Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price recently appeared in the Federal Court in Darwin to defend herself regarding a press release she issued in July 2024.

The press release accused Central Land Council (CLC) CEO Lesley Turner of losing support among colleagues and called for a leadership change to ensure the council could more effectively represent Indigenous community interests.

During two days of cross-examination, Price was questioned by lawyers on whether she had adequately verified the claims in the press release. She denied that the claims were false or maliciously defamatory and emphasized that her statements were based on information and reports available at the time. Turner’s lawyers pointed out that Price had previously sent letters accusing the CLC of not giving her the opportunity to respond during the “Voice to Parliament” debates and questioned whether her actions were contradictory.

The court will examine whether the press release constitutes defamation, whether it is protected under public interest, and whether the senator followed reasonable verification standards. Both parties are expected to make closing submissions next Tuesday, after which the judge will make a ruling.

Continue Reading

Trending