澳洲新闻 (ABC新闻快递) 2011-12-01

 Federal politicians are in line for a big pay rise in exchange for losing some of their perks¹. The Remuneration Tribunal has been reviewing politicians'salaries and entitlements, and will hand down a decision very shortly. There's speculation² 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 diplomats³ in retaliation⁴ for yesterday's attack on its embassy in Tehran. The Foreign Secretary William Hague is demanding the immediate⁵ closure of Iran's embassy in London, and he's also ordered its staff to leave the country within 48 hours. Britain has also evacuated⁶ 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 )

参考例句：

• 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

参考例句：

• 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

参考例句：

• 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

参考例句：

• 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》

5 immediate   

adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的

参考例句：

• His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
• We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。

6 evacuated   

撤退者的

参考例句：

• Police evacuated nearby buildings. 警方已将附近大楼的居民疏散。
• The fireman evacuated the guests from the burning hotel. 消防队员把客人们从燃烧着的旅馆中撤出来。