澳洲新闻 (ABC新闻快递) 2013-07-31

 Raising the GST and reducing company tax are part of a pre-election blueprint¹ for economic growth being proposed by business leaders. The Business Council of Australia has put forward an ambitious nine point plan.

 

It says the economy is at a crossroads and it wants decisive action from whichever party wins power.

 

“What we are saying is have a comprehensive review of a very complex tax system which is not terribly efficient. Ah, and then, do the reforms that we need for the future and make sure that governments, in particular, the states have the funding they need to fund the services and infrastructure². As a longer-term goal, we say reducing the company tax rate is one way, a very important way of inspiring companies to invest and to grow.”

 

Tony Sherbet‘s speaking to us a short time ago.

 

Let's look at the markets now.

 

In the US, the Dow and the S&P 500 were flat. The Nasdaq closed 17 points higher. In London overnight, the FTSE also rose slightly.

 

Looking at commodity prices.

 

West Texas Crude is trading at 103 US dollars a barrel. Tapis Crude is trading at 113 US dollars a barrel. Gold is worth 1,326 US dollars an ounce.

 

The Australian dollar is buying 91 US cents, 68 Euro cents and 59 pence sterling³.

1 blueprint   

n.蓝图，设计图，计划；vt.制成蓝图，计划

参考例句：

• All the machine parts on a blueprint must answer each other.设计图上所有的机器部件都应互相配合。
• The documents contain a blueprint for a nuclear device.文件内附有一张核装置的设计蓝图。

2 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

3 sterling   

adj.英币的(纯粹的，货真价实的)；n.英国货币(英镑)

参考例句：

• Could you tell me the current rate for sterling, please?能否请您告诉我现行英国货币的兑换率？
• Sterling has recently been strong,which will help to abate inflationary pressures.英国货币最近非常坚挺，这有助于减轻通胀压力。