澳洲新闻 (ABC新闻快递) 2011-12-01
时间：2018-12-11 作者：英语课 分类：澳洲ABC新闻快递2011年
英语课
Federal politicians are in line for a big pay rise in exchange for losing some of their perks 1. The Remuneration Tribunal has been reviewing politicians'salaries and entitlements, and will hand down a decision very shortly. There's speculation 2 that MPs' salaries could jump by as much as $50,000 a year, but perks like the overseas study allowance and the lifetime gold pass would be axed as part of that deal.
The Queensland parliament has voted to recognise civil unions for same-sex couples. The legislation narrowly passed during a late night sitting of parliament. It follows similar moves in Victoria, Tasmania and the ACT. The issue will be debated at the ALP's national conference that begins tomorrow, and we'll have more on that story shortly.
Britain is expelling all Iranian diplomats 3 in retaliation 4 for yesterday's attack on its embassy in Tehran. The Foreign Secretary William Hague is demanding the immediate 5 closure of Iran's embassy in London, and he's also ordered its staff to leave the country within 48 hours. Britain has also evacuated 6 its diplomatic staff from Iran and closed its embassy there. Iranian protesters stormed the British embassy yesterday following a decision to impose further sanctions on Tehran.
Up to two million public servants have gone on strike in Britain. Tens of thousands of people joined rallies around the country, protesting against planned cuts to pensions. Most schools were closed and hospitals have delayed thousands of operations.
1 perks
额外津贴，附带福利，外快( perk的名词复数 )
- Perks offered by the firm include a car and free health insurance. 公司给予的额外待遇包括一辆汽车和免费健康保险。
- Are there any perks that go with your job? 你的工作有什么津贴吗？
2 speculation
n.思索，沉思；猜测；投机
- Her mind is occupied with speculation.她的头脑忙于思考。
- There is widespread speculation that he is going to resign.人们普遍推测他要辞职。
3 diplomats
n.外交官( diplomat的名词复数 )；有手腕的人，善于交际的人
- These events led to the expulsion of senior diplomats from the country. 这些事件导致一些高级外交官被驱逐出境。
- The court has no jurisdiction over foreign diplomats living in this country. 法院对驻本国的外交官无裁判权。 来自《简明英汉词典》
4 retaliation
n.报复，反击
- retaliation against UN workers 对联合国工作人员的报复
- He never said a single word in retaliation. 他从未说过一句反击的话。 来自《简明英汉词典》