CNN 2010-06-28

History made in Australia. Julia Gillard’s sworn in as the country’s first female prime minister, but keen to mark the achievements of her predecessor¹.

“Kevin Rudd and I disagreed about the direction of the Government. I believed we needed to do better. But Kevin Rudd is a man of remarkable³ achievement. He made wonderful history for this nation.”

But history will not be so kind. Kevin Rudd will go down as the first Australian prime minister ousted⁴ by his own party during his first term in office. Choking back tears, he made his farewell, proud of his achievements, leading Australia through the global financial crisis, the country avoiding a recession and increasing Australia's international standing⁵.

“On the global stage, Australia is now at the table of the G20. This is big for the country.”

It has not been enough to save him. He suffered for failing to introduce a much-promised carbon emissions⁶ trading scheme and trying to push through an unpopular new tax on mining profits, his once sky-high popularity plummeting⁷ to unseen depths. Kevin Rudd, once a hero of his Labor⁸ Party for leading them to power, spectacularly overthrown⁹ by that same party after a dramatic slide in his popularity. Mr Rudd ultimately stepping aside for his deputy Julia Gillard. On the streets of Sydney, it was clear Mr Rudd's support base was gone.

“Probably not surprised, and I guess you know, not disappointed.”

Elation¹⁰ mixed with caution that Australian politics has broken the gender¹¹ barrier.

“Wonderful, wonderful.”

“Here in a dire² state, I think that's what they've made, what is a quite rush move to change leadership because something they are heading for a quite serious loss.”

Prime Minister Gillard concedes the Government had lost its way. There are big international challenges ahead too for Ms Gillard, climate change, the economy, and the future of Australia's involvement in Afghanistan. Five Australian servicemen have been killed in the past month.

Julia Gillard has won over her party. The big question now, can she win the Australian people? An election is due to be called within month, she inherits a party that is waning¹² in the polls. Julia Gillard has made history, but maybe very short-lived. Stan Grant, CNN, Sydney.
 

1 predecessor   

n.前辈，前任

参考例句：

• It will share the fate of its predecessor.它将遭受与前者同样的命运。
• The new ambassador is more mature than his predecessor.新大使比他的前任更成熟一些。

2 dire   

adj.可怕的，悲惨的，阴惨的，极端的

参考例句：

• There were dire warnings about the dangers of watching too much TV.曾经有人就看电视太多的危害性提出严重警告。
• We were indeed in dire straits.But we pulled through.那时我们的困难真是大极了，但是我们渡过了困难。

3 remarkable   

adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的

参考例句：

• She has made remarkable headway in her writing skills.她在写作技巧方面有了长足进步。
• These cars are remarkable for the quietness of their engines.这些汽车因发动机没有噪音而不同凡响。

4 ousted   

驱逐( oust的过去式和过去分词 )； 革职； 罢黜； 剥夺

参考例句：

• He was ousted as chairman. 他的主席职务被革除了。
• He may be ousted by a military takeover. 他可能在一场军事接管中被赶下台。

5 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

6 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。

7 plummeting   

v.垂直落下，骤然跌落( plummet的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• Prices are rising, falling, going up, going down, shooting up, plummeting, etc. 物价在上涨、下跌、上升、下落、猛然上涨、骤然下跌等。 来自辞典例句
• The enemy plane went plummeting into the sea. 敌机直直掉进海里。 来自辞典例句

8 labor   

n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦

参考例句：

• We are never late in satisfying him for his labor.我们从不延误付给他劳动报酬。
• He was completely spent after two weeks of hard labor.艰苦劳动两周后，他已经疲惫不堪了。

9 overthrown   

adj. 打翻的，推倒的，倾覆的 动词overthrow的过去分词

参考例句：

• The president was overthrown in a military coup. 总统在军事政变中被赶下台。
• He has overthrown the basic standards of morality. 他已摒弃了基本的道德标准。

10 elation   

n.兴高采烈，洋洋得意

参考例句：

• She showed her elation at having finally achieved her ambition.最终实现了抱负，她显得十分高兴。
• His supporters have reacted to the news with elation.他的支持者听到那条消息后兴高采烈。

11 gender   

n.（生理上的）性，（名词、代词等的）性

参考例句：

• French differs from English in having gender for all nouns.法语不同于英语，所有的名词都有性。
• Women are sometimes denied opportunities solely because of their gender.妇女有时仅仅因为性别而无法获得种种机会。

12 waning   

adj.（月亮）渐亏的，逐渐减弱或变小的n.月亏v.衰落( wane的现在分词 )；（月）亏；变小；变暗淡

参考例句：

• Her enthusiasm for the whole idea was waning rapidly. 她对整个想法的热情迅速冷淡了下来。
• The day is waning and the road is ending. 日暮途穷。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》