Aussie students among world's best: OECD

HIGH school students in Australia have entered a rare category - they are among the world's best academic all-rounders.

OECD data shows that more students in Australia achieve high levels in maths, reading and science than their counterparts in most other countries.

On average across OECD countries, 16.3 per cent of students are top performers in at least one of the subject areas of science, mathematics and reading but only 4.1 per cent are top performers in all three.

In Australia however more than 8 per cent of students are high-achieving all-rounders.

The OECD analysis was based on international tests among 15 year-olds across 65 countries.

It showed that Shanghai-China had the highest numbers of academic all-rounders at 14.6 per cent, followed by Singapore with 12.3 per cent.

New Zealand is ahead of Australia with 9.9 per cent. In Hong Kong and in Japan 8.4 per cent of students are good all rounders.

In Australia 8.1 per cent of the students tested were top performers across all three subjects.

This puts Australia ahead of the UK where just 4.6 per cent of of students were considered all-rounders - just slightly higher than the OECD average.

A briefing note published by the OECD says that academic all-rounders are rare.

"To satisfy the growing demand for high-level skills in knowledge-based 21st-century economies, school systems need to increase the proportion of their students who are top performers," it said.

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Hugh Jackman to pick up top film awards

HUGH Jackman is set to be honoured with two top awards at film festivals in Switzerland and Spain next month.

The X-Men star will receive the Golden Icon Award at the Zurich Film Festival, where he will also present his new film Prisoners in the gala premieres section.

Jackman will be presented with the award at a ceremony on September 28.

He will also be feted with the San Sebastian Film Festival's Donostia Award for lifetime achievement on September 27.

Zurich Film Festival director Karl Spoerri said Jackman was in a class by himself as a multi-talented entertainer with a global following.

"There is nothing he can't do and he proves this time and time again with every project he's involved in," Spoerri said in a statement.

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Rudd reiterates: get out of Syria

PRIME Minister Kevin Rudd has reiterated his warning for Australians to get the hell out of Syria.

the situation in Syria is continuing to evolve and Australia, which is to chair the UN Security Council from Sunday, remains in close consultation with allies around the world, Mr Rudd says.

The United States has released an intelligence report expressing "high confidence" the Syrian regime launched a chemical onslaught in the suburbs of Damascus last week, killing 1429 people, including at least 426 children.

Work in New York on the preparation of a security resolution "is increasingly problematic" because there are a range of views on the council on the best way forward, Mr Rudd told reporters in Darwin on Saturday.

Australia believes there is overwhelming evidence that chemical weapons were used, and that the Syrian regime was responsible, the prime minister said.

"I emphasise again. If there are any Australians currently in Syria just to get the hell out of there. It is not the time to be fooling around," he said.

Mr Rudd said it was critical for Australians in the middle east to pay attention to Australian government travel advisories.

Australian Greens Leader Christine Milne told reporters in Sydney she did not support the idea of Australia taking presidency of the security council "and then trying to go around the security council to back a pre-emptive strike by the United States".

Opposition leader Tony Abbott has accused Kevin Rudd of exaggerating Australia's role in the Syrian crisis.

The Labor leader hit back, accusing his opponent of a lack of foreign policy experience.

Senator Milne said whoever becomes prime minister of Australia next weekend is going to have an added level of responsibility with the Security Council and presidency of the G20.

"That means Australia has an unprecedented level of involvement and influence," she told reporters in Sydney.

"We've not seen Tony Abbott's capacity in that regard but I'm not going to condemn either of them in that regard because I think everybody knows Australia has to step up."

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Aust troops alleged to have cut off hands

ALLEGATIONS that Australian special forces soldiers cut the hands off at least one dead Afghan insurgent are reportedly the subject of an internal defence investigation.

Australian Defence Force (ADF) chief General David Hurley revealed in May that an inquiry was under way but gave no details of what was was being investigated.

He referred to this as only "an incident of potential misconduct".

In a statement released on Friday, Defence gave no details but said the investigation was ongoing.

"The ADF takes any potential occurrence of misconduct by Australian personnel very seriously," it said.

However, the ABC says it understands the investigation is into the removal of the hands from the corpse of at least one insurgent and that these were taken back to the base at Tarin Kowt, possibly for fingerprinting.

Australian troops seek to identify all dead insurgents for intelligence purposes.

This claim related to an operation, in which four insurgents were killed, that targeted an insurgent commander and involved Afghan forces and Australia's Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) in Zabul province on April 28. Zabul adjoins Oruzgan Province where the SOTG is based.

"An incident of potential misconduct during the operation has been raised through the internal national command chain," General Hurley said in the statement in May 8.

It was being investigated by the ADF in cooperation with the International Security Assistance Force.

Defence said on Friday that Australian troops operated under strict rules of engagement designed to protect troops, while ensuring their actions remained consistent with obligations under Australian and international law.

"The ADF also takes all reasonable steps to ensure its operations do not breach Afghan customs or cause offence by inadvertently disrespecting religious beliefs or norms," it said.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said he had full confidence in Australia's men and women in Afghanistan.

"If any matters have arisen concerning their conduct, I have full confidence in the chief of the defence's capacity to investigate," he told reporters in Perth.

"I believe we should wait for that investigatory process to reach a conclusion."

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NSW taxi fares won't increase

TAXI fares in NSW won't be increased for another year, but they will then have to go up to cover the rising costs of operating a cab.

"Holding fares at their current level is only sustainable for 12 months at the most, as taxi costs including fuel, maintenance and insurance, continue to rise," Taxi council chief Roy Wakelin-King said.

"Fares need to be set at a level that balances the needs of customers and the viability and sustainability of owning, operating and driving a cab."

Over the next year, it won't cost anymore and it will be easier to find a ride with an extra 250 cabs soon roaming the streets, Mr Wakelin-King said.

He added that he's "grateful" the government didn't accept recommendations from the state's pricing regulator which would have cut driver's pay despite costs increasing by 2.5 per cent during the past year.

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Paladin to boost production and sell mine

URANIUM miner Paladin Energy plans to boost production and push ahead with the partial sale of its Namibia mine after more than doubling its full year loss to $US420.9 million.

The company managed to achieve its 2012/13 production targets but it continues to slash costs due to weak global uranium prices.

Shares in the company gained five cents, or nine per cent, to 58 cents at 1340 AEST on an upbeat production outlook and cost cutting.

Paladin Energy is now targeting combined production of between 8.3 million pounds to 8.7 million pounds in the 2013/14 financial year, up from 8.2 million pounds produced in full year 2013.

The company recently announced it had terminated the sale of a minority interest in its Langer Heinrich mine in Namibia.

Paladin had been negotiating with two nuclear power companies to sell a 15 to 20 per cent stake, but the buyer wanted to renegotiate the terms due to the uranium price slumping to its lowest level in eight years.

Still, the company is eager to sell some of the asset after receiving requests from other interested parties.

"Paladin will, in September, resume efforts to sell a minority interest in Langer Heinrich," the company said in a statement.

Based on investment bank UBS's recent $US1.1 billion valuation of Langer Heinrich, a successful sale would have gained $US165 million to $US220 million.

More than two years on from Japan's Fukushima nuclear disaster, the spot price of uranium is sitting at an eight-year low of about $US35 a pound.

Paladin posted a $US420.9 million full year loss in the 2013 financial year, more than double last year's loss of $US172.8 million.

It announced a $US335.9 million impairment for 2012/13.

The losses came as revenue rose to $US411.5 million in the year to June 30, up 12 per cent, from $US367.4 million in the previous year.

In full year 2013, Paladin's production rose 20 per cent to 8.2 million pounds.

Managing director John Borshoff said the company's forecast cost reductions in its 2013 financial year were exceeded at both its Langer Heinrich Mine and Kayelekera Mines in Africa, and further cost reductions were expected in 2014.

"Paladin remains focused on reducing costs across all facets of the business," Mr Borshoff said.

He added that a future global supply shortage of uranium was now unavoidable as more power plants were built in China while Japan looked to restart its reactors.

"It will be undeniably apparent sooner rather than later," he said.

The Perth-based company is undertaking a further review of costs across the organisation, focusing on exploration, corporate, discretionary capital expenditure and site costs.

Paladin did not offer a dividend.

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Fisher & Paykel Healthcare raises forecast

FISHER & Paykel Healthcare Corp, which makes breathing masks and respirators, has raised its earnings forecast as new products boost sales and widen margins.

Fisher & Paykel profit is likely to be $NZ90 million ($A79.11 million) to $NZ95m in the year ending March 31, up from its May forecast of $NZ85m to $NZ90m, and as much as 23 per cent ahead of its 2013 profit of $NZ77.1m, the Auckland-based company said in a statement on Tuesday.

It is boosting profit margins on record sales, higher-margin new products and lower costs from its plant in Mexico.

The company estimates it is tapping a potential market for respiratory products of more than $US5 billion ($A5.57 billion) a year and more than 100 million patients.

"Growth so far this year has continued to be robust," chief executive Mike Daniell said in notes for delivery at the company's annual meeting in Auckland on Tuesday.

"Our margins are increasing as a result of new products and applications driving a favourable product mix, and as we gain efficiencies through lean manufacturing, logistics and supply chain improvement."

The company said it expects full-year operating revenue of $NZ625m to $NZ645m, up from its May forecast of $NZ610m to $NZ630m and ahead of 2013's record $NZ556.3m.

Fisher & Paykel's latest full-year forecasts are based on the New Zealand dollar trading at about 80 US cents, while its previous forecasts in May were based on the kiwi trading at 80-85 US cents, the company said.

Some 99 per cent of the company's products are exported and Fisher & Paykel took advantage of a recent dip in the New Zealand dollar to add to its foreign exchange hedging, Mr Daniell said.

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Coalition makes pledge to unemployed

THE long-term unemployed would receive a $6500 bonus if they can find and keep a job for two years, under a plan launched by Opposition Leader Tony Abbott.

Mr Abbott also used an election campaign visit to the NSW Central Coast to announce a relocation allowance for jobseekers.

"The best form of welfare is work," Mr Abbott said on Tuesday.

Under the plan, people aged 18 to 30 who had been unemployed for 12 months or more, and were on Newstart allowance or youth allowance, would receive a $2,500 bonus if they secured a job and remained off welfare for a continuous period of 12 months.

A further bonus of $4,000 would be paid if the jobseeker remained in a job and off welfare continuously for 24 months.

Jobseekers who moved to a regional area to take up a job would receive an additional bonus of up to $6000, or $3000 if they moved from a regional area to a capital city.

The relocation allowance would be available to people on Newstart or youth allowance for more than 12 months.

An extra $3000 would be paid if the jobseeker has dependent children.

Mr Abbott says more than 140,000 people have been jobless for more than 12 months.

"These sensible, targeted measures will help get people off welfare and into new jobs," he said.

The $75 million scheme would start on July 1, 2014.

Earlier in the campaign, the coalition launched a policy to roll out a pilot scheme for Tasmanian businesses to receive a $3250 payment for employing a long-term jobless person for six months or more.

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Seven shares fall on gloomy outlook

Seven Group Holdings reported a net profit of $486 million for the 2012/13 financial year. Source: AAP

SEVEN Group Holdings shares have fallen almost 10 per cent as the company foreshadowed a massive drop in full year earnings due to a downturn in the mining sector.

The industrials and media group's prediction of a 30 to 40 per cent fall in 2014 earnings comes after it made a record profit of $486 million for the 2012/13 financial year, almost triple its $177 million result for the previous 12 months.

A strong first half performance from its heavy equipment business WesTrac drove the profit result.

But the group's industrial assets were affected by the slowdown in mining investment in the second half, prompting cost cuts.

Seven Group now anticipates full year 2013/2014 profit results to be closer to the 2010/2011 levels.

Chief executive Don Voelte said the mining sector downturn was affecting industrial services businesses, particularly those in New South Wales tied to the struggling coal industry.

"WesTrac Western Australia is going okay, but we do see pressure on the mining managers to maximise their cash flow," Mr Voelte told analysts on Tuesday.

"NSW is probably even a little bit worse than even we might have thought."

In the first month-and-a-half of 2014, strong iron ore prices were holding up the West Australian WesTrac business, but the early signs for coal were not pleasing.

Mr Voelte said the group would review its capital expenditure and costs to meet the changing market demands for mining and industrial services products.

Given the uncertain outlook for both the mining and media industries, the company expects its 2013/14 net profit to be below that recorded last financial year.

The group's 2013 full year result was boosted by $90 million worth of significant items including a $50 million gain from the sale of the company's stake in Consolidated Media for $491 million.

Seven Group owns a stake in Seven West Media along with industrial companies WesTrac and Coates Hire.

The television business, the separately listed Seven West Media, also performed relatively well in a challenging environment, despite posting a $70 million net loss, the group said.

Seven Group Holdings said it would continue to focus on reducing costs and improving WesTrac's performance in Australian and China during 2013/14.

At 1134 AEST, Seven Group shares were 9.6 per cent lower at $6.96.

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Aust 'nastier than Taliban' on refugees

A PROMINENT human rights lawyer has compared the major political parties to the Taliban as he endorsed the re-election of Australian Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young as an alternative voice on refugees.

Speaking to reporters alongside Senator Hanson-Young in Adelaide on Sunday, Julian Burnside QC said it was the first time in his life he had publicly supported a political party.

"I'm doing it because this is the first time in Australia's history that we've seen both major parties promising to outdo each other in cruelty to one group of human beings," he said.

His comments came as Senator Hanson-Young launched the Greens' refugee policy.

She said analysis from the parliamentary budget office showed taxpayers could save $3.2 billion if all offshore detentions centres were shut down, as well as some onshore centres.

The money could instead be used to give asylum seekers work rights so they could contribute to the economy and the community, she said.

"Many Australians want a new way, a more human way, and what we've shown today is that (this) is cost-effective as well as being the right thing to do."

Mr Burnside said Australia's asylum seeker policy had hurt the country in the eyes of civilised nations and it was now regarded as selfish and cruel overseas.

More than half the boat refugees who had arrived in the last 15 years were ethnic Hazara fleeing the Taliban, he said.

"We make ourselves look even nastier than the Taliban so that people won't try to come here," he said.

"Is that the Australia you want to live in?"

The Greens would also put a 30-day limit on the length of time asylum seekers could be kept in detention for health and security checks before being released into the community on bridging visas.

They would also increase Australia's humanitarian intake from 20,000 a year to 30,000.

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Abbott pledges trustworthy government

OPPOSITION Leader Tony Abbott has appealed to Labor and Australian Greens voters to give his team a chance to form government, saying Labor doesn't deserve the nation's trust.

Mr Abbott was addressing the Liberal and Nationals party faithful at the coalition's official election campaign launch in Brisbane on Sunday.

He promised that if elected on September 7 the coalition would be a competent and trustworthy "no surprises, no excuses government".

"I won't let you down. This is my pledge to you," Mr Abbott said.

Within ten years Australia would have lower taxes and there would be two million more jobs in manufacturing, agriculture, services, education and the resources sector.

By the end of its first term the budget would be on track to a "believable" surplus.

This promise extends the timeframe the Labor government has set for a $4 billion surplus in 2016/17.

Within a decade the budget surplus would be one per cent of gross domestic product, Mr Abbott said.

"And each year government will be a smaller percentage of our economy."

Mr Abbott again pledged to abolish the carbon and mining taxes, cut company tax and business red tape and shift the industrial relations pendulum "back to the sensible centre".

He highlighted his signature plan to give working women six months parental leave at their full pay, prompting a loud round of applause from the party faithful.

"I want our workers to be the best paid in the world and for that to happen, we have to be amongst the most productive in the world," Mr Abbott said.

Mr Abbott announced a number of new initiatives totalling more than $300 million, including plans to index eligibility thresholds for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card so more self-funded retirees had access to cheaper medicines.

A coalition would also commit an additional $200 million to dementia research and give young trade apprentices access to HECS-style, interest free $20,000 loans to help pay for their training from next year.

"This is a hand-up - not a handout - for people who will meet our skills needs for the next 40 years," Mr Abbott said.

Mr Abbott promised progress on recognising indigenous people in the constitution and said he would continue to spend a week each year in a remote indigenous community.

This federal election would be the most important in a generation, he said.

"It pits the Liberal and National parties' positive plans for the future against more of the same from a confused and chaotic Labor Party," Mr Abbott said.

"We are a great country and a great people but we can't afford another three years like the last six."

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Labor could not be trusted.

He accused Labor of wasting money, hurting business and families, destroying confidence and running Australia into debt and deficit.

"But the worst deficit is not the budget deficit but the trust deficit," he said.

"As you know from bitter experience, if you reward bad behaviour, you get more of it."

Mr Abbott reached out to Labor and Greens voters and those thinking of supporting independents.

"Give my team a chance," he said.

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Man critical after Sydney hotel fall

A man is in a critical condition after he fell out a hotel window in Sydney's CBD, police say. Source: AAP

A MAN is in a critical condition after he fell out a hotel window in Sydney's CBD.

Paramedics were called to the hotel at Albion Place, Sydney, around 10.20am (AEST) on Sunday, an Ambulance NSW spokesman said.

It was initially unclear how far the man had fallen.

He has been taken to hospital in a critical condition.

Police are investigating.

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