🎧 Audio
📖 Script
Eric Abetz, the newly appointed Treasurer of Tasmania, is preparing to unveil his first budget. This budget is crucial as it aims to address the financial challenges faced by the state government. However, community organizations across Tasmania are worried about the potential negative impact on their operations. These organizations play a vital role in providing essential services to local communities, including support for vulnerable groups, education programs, and health services. They rely heavily on government funding to continue their work.
The main concern is that, in an effort to fix the state’s financial situation, Abetz may decide to cut funding for these organizations. This is part of a broader strategy to “repair” the budget, which involves reducing spending in various areas. Community leaders fear that such cuts could severely limit their ability to serve the people who need their help the most. They argue that reducing funding could force them to cut services or even shut down programs entirely.
Abetz has stated that his primary focus will be on stabilizing Tasmania’s economy and ensuring long-term financial health. He argues that tough decisions need to be made to achieve these goals. However, he also acknowledges the importance of community organizations and has promised to consider their needs while making budget decisions. Despite these assurances, many organizations remain skeptical and anxious about their future.
As the budget announcement approaches, community leaders are urging the government to find a balance. They suggest exploring alternative solutions, such as increasing revenue through other means, to avoid drastic cuts to vital services. The upcoming budget will reveal the government’s priorities and its impact on Tasmania’s community sector.
📝 Vocabulary
- budget: a plan for how to spend money over a particular period（予算）
例文: “The government announced its new budget for the upcoming year.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- annual budget
- budget cuts
- budget deficit
- organization: a group of people with a particular purpose, such as a business or government department（組織）
例文: “The organization works to support local communities.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- non-profit organization
- community organization
- international organization
- funding: money provided for a particular purpose（資金提供）
例文: “The project received funding from the government.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- secure funding
- increase funding
- funding source
- vulnerable: capable of being physically or emotionally wounded or hurt（弱い、傷つきやすい）
例文: “Children and the elderly are often considered vulnerable groups.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- vulnerable populations
- vulnerable position
- vulnerable to attack
- stabilize: to make or become unlikely to change suddenly or greatly（安定させる）
例文: “The government took measures to stabilize the economy.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- stabilize the economy
- stabilize prices
- stabilize a situation
✏️ Grammar Point
Future Simple Tense – “Eric Abetz is preparing to unveil his first budget.”
文法の日本語補足を見る
💡 使用場面
未来の出来事や予定を述べる場合に使われる。例えば、会議で今後の計画を話す際に使われます。
📝 使用例文
“例: In a business meeting, you might say: ‘If we cut costs now, we can increase our profit margin next quarter.’”
❓ Listening Questions
- True/False: Community organizations are confident about receiving more funding in the upcoming budget.
- MCQ: What is Eric Abetz’s main focus with the new budget?
a) Increasing government spending
b) Stabilizing Tasmania’s economy
c) Expanding community programs
d) Reducing taxes - MCQ: What do community leaders suggest as an alternative to cutting funds?
a) Closing down programs
b) Increasing revenue through other means
c) Stopping all services
d) Ignoring the budget issues
🔑 Listening Answersを見る
- False
- b) Stabilizing Tasmania’s economy
- b) Increasing revenue through other means
📚 Reading Questions
- What are community organizations in Tasmania concerned about regarding the new budget?
- Why do community leaders feel anxious about the potential funding cuts?
- What does the word “stabilizing” mean in the context of the script?
🔑 Reading Answersを見る
- They are concerned about potential funding cuts to their operations.
- They worry that funding cuts will limit their ability to provide essential services.
- Making the economy or situation unlikely to change suddenly or greatly.
🇯🇵 日本語での経済ニュース解説
タスマニアの新しい財務担当大臣、エリック・アベッツ氏が初めての予算案を発表しようとしています。この予算案は州政府の財政問題を解決するために重要です。しかし、地域社会の組織は、予算修正のために資金が削減されるのではないかと懸念しています。特に脆弱なグループを支援する組織は、資金が削減されるとサービスの提供が難しくなると心配しています。今後の予算発表が地域社会にどのような影響を与えるかが注目されています。
