英语听力：澳洲新闻 (ABC新闻快递) 2013-09-11

 New figures show business confidence was boosted by bets on a Coalition¹ election victory and an interest rate cut in August. National Australia Bank's monthly survey of over 600 firms shows confidence shot up to a reading of six from minus three back in July. Hopes the federal election would put an end to political uncertainty² were largely behind the surge, but the survey did show conditions will weak with a worrying downturn in employment.

 

 

Elders plans to cut ten per cent of its workforce³ or about 150 jobs as part of a plan to return to a pure agri-business. Elders also expects a 39-million-dollar loss because of a weak live cattle exports. The 174-year-old company has reached a deal to extend its loans until the end of next year. It will use the financing for its trading businesses after selling off its forestry⁴ and car arms.

 

 

Investors⁵ have welcomed the moves by Elders. Shares have shot up almost 11 per cent. The major miners and Telstra also led the way. The board of Australian sharemarket built up on yesterday's gains after more positive economic idicators out of China. The All Ords added half a per cent, as did the ASX 200 index. Across the region, trade is positive as well. Japan's Nikkei is up one and a half per cent. 

 

 

And a quick check of currencies. The Australian dollar is trading near its highest level since late July.

1 coalition   

n.结合体，同盟，结合，联合

参考例句：

• The several parties formed a coalition.这几个政党组成了政治联盟。
• Coalition forces take great care to avoid civilian casualties.联盟军队竭尽全力避免造成平民伤亡。

2 uncertainty   

n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物

参考例句：

• Her comments will add to the uncertainty of the situation.她的批评将会使局势更加不稳定。
• After six weeks of uncertainty,the strain was beginning to take its toll.6个星期的忐忑不安后，压力开始产生影响了。

3 workforce   

n.劳动大军，劳动力

参考例句：

• A large part of the workforce is employed in agriculture.劳动人口中一大部分受雇于农业。
• A quarter of the local workforce is unemployed.本地劳动力中有四分之一失业。

4 forestry   

n.森林学；林业

参考例句：

• At present, the Chinese forestry is being at a significant transforming period. 当前, 我国的林业正处于一个重大的转折时期。
• Anhua is one of the key forestry counties in Hunan province. 安化县是湖南省重点林区县之一。

5 investors   

n.投资者，出资者( investor的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• a con man who bilked investors out of millions of dollars 诈取投资者几百万元的骗子
• a cash bonanza for investors 投资者的赚钱机会