澳洲新闻 2009-07-01

The new financial year has ushered¹ in a new industrial relations system. Under the new regulations, small businesses with a hundred employees or less are no longer exempt² from unfair dismissal laws. There are several tax breaks too, the second highest bracket will be lowered from 40% to 38%, and the 30% tax bracket won’t kick in until someone is earning at least $35,000. But the government superannuation co-contribution rate has been cut from 150% to 100%.

New data shows that British economy has recorded its worst contraction³ in 51years. Official estimates that put the first quarter in negative territory have now been revised down to 2.4%. It’s also predicted that three million Britons will be out of work by the end of the year.

To the markets, US investors⁴ were spooked by falling consumer confidence. The Daw Jones shed nearly 1%. European market also lost ground. London’s FTSE closed 45 points weaker, and the DAX slumped⁵ more than 1.5%.

And checking the currencies, the Australian dollar is stronger against most of the majors and is buying 80.6 US cents.

And that’s ABC Business News.

1 ushered   

v.引，领，陪同( usher的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The secretary ushered me into his office. 秘书把我领进他的办公室。
• A round of parties ushered in the New Year. 一系列的晚会迎来了新年。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 exempt   

adj.免除的；v.使免除；n.免税者，被免除义务者

参考例句：

• These goods are exempt from customs duties.这些货物免征关税。
• He is exempt from punishment about this thing.关于此事对他已免于处分。

3 contraction   

n.缩略词，缩写式，害病

参考例句：

• The contraction of this muscle raises the lower arm.肌肉的收缩使前臂抬起。
• The forces of expansion are balanced by forces of contraction.扩张力和收缩力相互平衡。

4 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

5 slumped   

大幅度下降，暴跌( slump的过去式和过去分词 )； 沉重或突然地落下[倒下]

参考例句：

• Sales have slumped this year. 今年销售量锐减。
• The driver was slumped exhausted over the wheel. 司机伏在方向盘上，疲惫得睡着了。