澳洲新闻 (ABC新闻快递) 2009-12-01

The Federal Liberal Party will this morning decide whether to force Malcolm Turnbull out of the leadership amid increasingly bitter divisions over climate change policy. The leadership ballot¹ would be a three-way contest between Malcolm Turnbull, Tony Abbott and Joe Hockey. Each has a different position on the emissions² trading scheme. Mr. Abbott says the legislation should be blocked.

"It would be a very sad Parliament and certainly a very misguided Opposition³ which simply wipes these things through."

Mr. Hockey indicated if he wins, he will give his colleagues a free vote on the legislation. Malcolm Turnbull's holding fast to his position. He insists he has the numbers to win.

The Prime Minister's held talks with the US President Barack Obama and has been briefed on his new strategy for Afghanistan. While the Obama administration is hoping for increase troop contributions from other countries, a White House spokesman says Australia won't be asked for more.

And the Reserve Bank board is expected to increase interest rates for a record third straight month today. Most economists⁴ are tipping a rise of 25 basis points, bringing the rate to 3.75%.

I'll be back with more news later. Bye for now.

1 ballot   

n.（不记名）投票，投票总数，投票权；vi.投票

参考例句：

• The members have demanded a ballot.会员们要求投票表决。
• The union said they will ballot members on whether to strike.工会称他们将要求会员投票表决是否罢工。

2 emissions   

排放物( emission的名词复数 )； 散发物（尤指气体）

参考例句：

• Most scientists accept that climate change is linked to carbon emissions. 大多数科学家都相信气候变化与排放的含碳气体有关。
• Dangerous emissions radiate from plutonium. 危险的辐射物从钚放散出来。

3 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

4 economists   

n.经济学家，经济专家( economist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The sudden rise in share prices has confounded economists. 股价的突然上涨使经济学家大惑不解。
• Foreign bankers and economists cautiously welcomed the minister's initiative. 外国银行家和经济学家对部长的倡议反应谨慎。 来自《简明英汉词典》