SBS News in Easy English 26 August 2024

A high-angle photo shows a small inflatable boat with people in it, positioned next to a large whale. The whale is partially tangled in a fishing net, and a rescue effort appears to be underway.

Rescuers help a whale caught in a shark net off the coast of Queensland. Source: AAP / Jerome Delay

A daily 5 minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability.


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Welcome to SBS News in Easy English. I'm Biwa Kwan.

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New reform to Australia's aviation sector would create an option to access timely refunds and possibly cash compensation for delayed and cancelled flights.

The complaints mechanism would be set up alongside a passenger rights charter and the new role of an ombudsperson to investigate and resolve complaints.

Federal Transport Minister Catherine King says the changes will provide airlines with a better opportunity to make continuous improvements.

"What we all want to see is, in fact, that customers get what they pay for. You've bought a ticket. If the flight doesn't go - or the flight doesn't go when you expect it to go - you should expect that is the service that is provided. So really this is about providing remedies to consumers who have found it very difficult to pursue these issues. And also getting continuous improvement in our airlines and our airports."

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The biggest political gathering of the Pacific region is taking place in Tonga.

The five-day Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting is being attended by more than 1000 delegates.

Founded in 1971, the Forum has 18 members, including Australia.

This year's annual meeting will consider adding two new members: American Samoa and Guam.

Discussion topics will include: restoring unity in New Caledonia in the aftermath of riots.

Climate change is another issue which will be discussed, as Australia seeks to host the 2026 UN Climate Change conference, COP31.

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Australia's LGBTIQ+ communities say they are disappointed they will not be counted in the country's next Census on the population.

The federal government has confirmed it won't be changing topics for the next Census in 2026 to include gender, sexual orientation and variations of sex characteristics.

The topics were on the proposed shortlist compiled by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Equality Australia CEO Anna Brown says it is a missed opportunity to fully "reflect the diversity of Australia and gather crucial information about the kinds of services people need".

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Business groups say they have concerns about the operation of news laws for workers on the so-called right to disconnect.

The law has now come into effect, giving the workers the right to disconnect from work - unless doing so is unreasonable.

The chief executive of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Andrew McKellar, says more clarity is needed on what is reasonable.

"Does it mean that they have the right not to respond? No, it’s not a blanket right. Of course, it has to be reasonable. It has to be on reasonable grounds. And I think at the moment there’s a real lack of certainty about what determines whether that action is reasonable or unreasonable, and I think that’s something that we really won’t know how that is going to be interpreted until we start to see some test cases coming forward."

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And to sports - in cycling, Britain's Adam Yates went all alone to win stage nine of the Vuelta a Espana.

Australian Ben O'Connor finished third in the stage and remains race leader.

Yates was part of an early breakaway group, but with 58 kilometres still to race he went alone - and held off the challenge of Ecuador's Richard Carapaz, who finished one minute 39 seconds behind.

Yates says winning the stage wasn't easy.

"It is so hot out there. From the last climb, I was cramping full. And I didn't know if I could go (on). You know, I have had a lot of bad luck over the years on Tours. And I really didn't know if I could make it. I just went full gas. We really had nothing to lose. Full gas. And didn't stop until the end of the (finish) line."

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I'm Biwa Kwan. This has been SBS News in Easy English.

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