英闻天下——229 Two Australian Senior Cabinet Ministers Resign

 　　Two senior cabinet ministers have resigned just four days after Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard announcing a national election date.

 

　　The country's first female Attorney-General Nicola Roxon will step down along with Chris Evans, who as Senate Leader is the third in line to the prime ministership.

 

　　Both ministers cited demands of the job and family reasons for their decisions.

 

　　Chris Evans says he is confident the Labor¹ Party will win in the election.

 

　　"I leave knowing that the government is in good shape, would not have left if it wasn't. I would not have left if I thought it would do any harm to the party or the government and I am very confident of our chances of success at the next federal election."

 

　　Local media described the resignations as a severe blow for the ruling Labor Party, saying they undermined Gillard's message of stability and a lack of confidence in ability to win a third term.

 

　　However, Gillard puts on a brave face at a news conference in Canberra, saying she has known of the impending² resignations for some time.

 

　　"But there are some incredibly big shoes to fill and it does give me an opportunity now to promote some fresh talent with fresh ideas into the government's executive and I'm very pleased to do so. It means that we will be able to present to Australian people a rejuvenated³ team as we move into the parliamentary year in 2013."

 

　　Opinion polls show Tony Abbott's opposition⁴ Liberal-National party well ahead of the government and Gillard would be swept from office if an election were held now.

 

　　The next general election is set for September.

1 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。

2 impending   

a.imminent, about to come or happen

参考例句：

• Against a background of impending famine, heavy fighting took place. 即将发生饥荒之时，严重的战乱爆发了。
• The king convoke parliament to cope with the impending danger. 国王召开国会以应付迫近眉睫的危险。

3 rejuvenated   

更生的

参考例句：

• He was rejuvenated by new hope. 新的希望又使他充满了活力。
• She looked rejuvenated after plastic surgery. 她做完整形手术后显得年轻了。

4 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。