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SBS News in Easy English 20 October 2026

SBS News Australia •
October 20, 2026 • 03:00 AM
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SBS News in Easy English is a daily five-minute news podcast in clear, simple English. Each episode covers the top stories from Australia and around the world in plain language, making the news easy to follow for English language learners, people with disability and anyone who prefers news…

SBS News in Easy English 20 October 2026

Listen to Australian and world news, and follow trending topics with SBS News Podcasts .

Welcome to SBS News in Easy English, I'm Camille Bianchi.

Independent MP Helen Haines is in a critical condition in hospital, after a man allegedly attacked her with a car.

Local resident Cody Lepoidepin says he was at work when he heard a crash near Dr Haines office.

"We couldn't see anyone in between the cars at the time, until we heard the screams. But, regardless we ran over, called triple zero and it was quite a horrific scene. Not something that you'd expect to see on a regular working day, but we all decided to do what we could to help."

Australia's spy agency, ASIO, says politically-motivated attacks are more likely now than in past years because of a rise in people's intolerance to different opinions.

Federal Health Minister Mark Butler says it is important everyone is tolerant and that there is respectful political debate.

"The number of threats have doubled over the last five years. The need for protection has increased dramatically, which was reflected in this year's budget. And that reflects the chnage in the nature of political debate for the worse in this country. We have a great tradition in Australia of open, respectful, tolerant debate. Even when there are different views about the direction of our amazing country."

A new study reveals half of Australians under 30 are either considering having fewer kids, delaying them or choosing to not have any, due to cost of living pressures.

AMP's Julia Slapp, says the 'Can we afford kids?' report shows a trend that's been happening over decades.

"In 1984 it used to only take 4 years to save a 20% deposit for a home. Today that is nearly 11 years on average, that is a big difference. And that is because people can't save as much, our property prices have been going up. So, people have been thinking about all the things that make their lifestyle worthwhile and that includes children. So, you can see that impact through a declining birthrate."

Japan will soon launch a spacecraft to collect samples from one of two potato-shaped moons orbiting Mars.

Project Manager for the Mars Moon eXploration mission, Yasuhiro Kawakatsu, says the team has built on work by other Japanese scientists.

"We’ve conducted various types of space exploration missions to date, and by bringing together the technologies developed through each of them, we’ve reached this point where we’ve been able to put together such an ambitious plan. The spacecraft has been assembled, and the rocket is ready."

That's the latest SBS News in Easy English.

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