SBS News in Easy English 23 September 2022

The Australian government continues to stand firm on its calls for China to decrease its presence in Taiwan.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong met with her Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi in New York's United Nations headquarters.

She says the meeting was constructive, and that Australia looks to further stabilise the relationship.

But she insists the Government's stance on Taiwan remains the same.

"My position on Taiwan is the same as the position I've articulated publicly. We urge restraint, we urge de-escalation, and we re-iterate the bipartisan position Australia has taken since 1972, and our One China policy, which includes, as you know, an economic and people to people engagement with Taiwan."

The talks focused on strengthening Australia's relations with the Pacific, particularly at a time when China is trying to assert itself in the region.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has confirmed users' personal information has been accessed, in a major breach.

Optus says it took action to block the attack as soon as they learned about it.

Scamwatch is advising Optus customers to change their online account passwords, and enable multi factor authentication for their online banking.

Defence Minister Richard Marles has no new information about who might be behind the attack.

He says government agencies are working with Optus on the matter.

"Well, it is very concerning. I'm limited in what I can say. The Australian Cybersecurity Centre is working very closely with Optus. And I know Optus is doing everything it can, in what's obviously a very difficult moment for them."

Communities on the New South Wales-Queensland border are on high alert for flash flooding.

More than 20 centimetres of rain fell in three hours in some areas.

There's also major flooding in the north-western New South Wales towns of Wee Waa and Warren.

Multiple climate factors are behind what is happening, including a rare third consecutive La Nina year.

Rescue workers will today attempt to save the final three surviving whales from a pod stranded on the west coast of Tasmania.

230 whales stranded themselves on Ocean Beach near Macquarie Harbor, south of the town of Strahan earlier this week.

Most have died, but 32 of the 35 surviving whales have been re-floated, which rescuers say is a terrific result.

The three remaining whales have not been able to be accessed so far, due to their location.

Workers will then move to dispose of the 200 dead whales.

Fans have gathered in Melbourne for the return of the A-F-L Grand Final parade.

After two years of the game being played interstate due to COVID-19, the AFL Grand Final returns to Melbourne this weekend, as the Sydney Swans and Geelong play for the title tomorrow afternoon.

The traditional day-before-the-game parade will be different, with the players of both teams being paraded down the Yarra River on barges, rather than going through Melbourne's streets in cars.

Presenting the cup will be former title-winning Richmond player Bachar Houli.

He says there's nothing better than playing in a Grand Final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

"Obviously, it's a special week in Melbourne. It's great to see the footy's back in Melbourne after a couple of years. Nothing better than the MCG to play at. I was very fortunate enough to play in the most recent one, 2019, and be victorious."