The World Today

A report by top education experts has condemned Australia's university entrance system as confusing, inconsistent and misunderstood. The Federal Government is considering the report, which it commissioned amid concerns universities inflate entrance scores to increase perceptions of prestige. The review found only 31 per cent of students enter higher education on the basis of ATARs (or Australian Tertiary Admission Ranks). There's concern students from poorer backgrounds who are unfamiliar with higher education have been disadvantaged because they did not understand the system. Recommendations include improving the quality and consistency of information about entry requirements.

Revelations that children are sustaining serious knee injuries have prompted calls for a national database of juvenile sports injuries. Last night, 7.30 revealed the number of children undergoing ACL reconstructions had more than tripled in the past 15 years. But sports injury Professor Caroline Finch from Federation University says that's just the tip of the iceberg because many ACL injuries aren't reported.

The Victorian Government's bid to temporarily move youth detainees into adult jails could be subjected to a legal challenge. The Government is making the move after a youth detention centre was damaged in a riot earlier this week.

The architect of a bill to legalise voluntary euthanasia in South Australia is confident it will move forward when it is put to a conscience vote today. It will be the 15th attempt to pass such laws in the state, with supporters optimistic it will at least be sent to a parliamentary committee for further investigation. But those against still don't agree there are enough safeguards in place.

New South Wales is about to become the first Australian parliament to protect Aboriginal languages with legislation. At a ceremony in Sydney today, the Aboriginal Affairs Minister joined Indigenous language speakers from across the state to make the announcement.

Residents of a quiet Sydney suburb were shocked to find a notorious underworld figure gunned down outside their homes. Sydney crime figure Pasquale Barbaro was killed in what police suspect was a targeted shooting. He has been linked to the Italian mafia.

The Prime Minister has accused Bill Shorten of engaging in rank opportunism and breathtaking hypocrisy as the Opposition Leader pushes for employers to preference Australian workers over foreigners. The Labor Party wants a tightening on skilled work visas and for businesses with skills shortages to train locals. A key Coalition backbencher is also pushing for a crackdown on skilled visas and he's threatening to bring it up in the joint party room if his party doesn't make changes.

Master Builders says that the changes to the skilled workers visa are unnecessary and will lead to higher costs. Master Builders is the peak construction lobby group, and one of the key sectors targeted for reform under Labor's proposal. Its CEO says the construction industry is reliant on foreign workers.

A new report on exploitation of migrant and refugee workers in Melbourne's western suburbs has found the problem is rife and could stem into the millions of dollars.

US President Barack Obama has sought to downplay concerns about his successor Donald Trump at a White House press conference, before heading on his final overseas trip in the role.