Girls beat boys in WA Year 12 results

The School Curriculum and Standards Authority today released the league tables for WA schools today. Picture: file image Source: News Limited

THREE out of the top five WA schools based on last year's Year 12 results were single-sex girls schools, controversial league tables show.

St Hilda's Anglican School For Girls has been named the state's top school, with 37.46 per cent of its Class of 2013 finishing with a score of 75 per cent or more in their WA Certificate of Education courses.

It was followed by St Mary's Anglican Girls' School, Perth Modern School, Presbyterian Ladies' College and Hale School.

The so-called league tables, which rank schools based on their Year 12 performance, were released by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority today.

WA Association for Independent Schools executive director Valerie Gould said girls' schools generally performed better than boys' schools.

"Single-sex girls' schools have done better than boys' schools and that has been consistent for a while," she said.

But she reiterated that she, and the other education sectors, did not support the idea of ranking schools based on one measure.

"We are not fans of league tables because we don't think measuring school against school is the best way to measure what schools have achieved," Ms Gould said.

Education Department director-general Sharyn O'Neill welcomed results that showed almost 75 per cent of last year's Year 12 students at public schools finished school with a meaningful qualification, including an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank of 55 or above or a Certificate II or higher.

That had risen from just 60 per cent in 2011, following the director-general's hard-line stance on the issue.

"This means that they are leaving school with something tradeable," she said.

But Ms O'Neill warned there were still some schools that needed to "lift their game".

"That means the expectation is being raised every year and that is the kind of momentum that I have been seeking in public schools," she said.

She said the stand-out school in the top 50 was North Albany Senior High School, which has drastically turned its performance around following critical reviews conducted by the Expert Review Group.

"I think this is vindication of their work," Ms O'Neill said.

There were 17 public schools in the top 50, up from 12 the year before. Two public schools - Perth Modern School and Shenton College - were also in the top 10 for 2013.

Catholic Education Office of WA director Tim McDonald said eight Catholic schools finished in the top 50 in WA.

He was particularly pleased with the performance of lower socio-economic schools, including St Norbert College, Chisholm Catholic College, MacKillop Catholic College and Bunbury Catholic College.

Dr McDonald said league tables did not "capture the well-rounded education offered by Catholic education".

Ashdale Secondary College was also named WA's top vocational school, as well as Bindoon's Catholic Agricultural College, Emmanuel Catholic College, Iona Presentation College, MacKillop Catholic College, Quinns Baptist College, Santa Maria College, St Brigid's College, St Hilda's Anglican School for Girls, St Mary's College, Woodthorpe School and the WA Colleges of Agriculture in Denmark, Harvey and Narrogin.

That meant 100 per cent of their students achieved a Certificate II or higher.

yasmine.phillips@news.com.au

THE TOP 20

1) St Hilda's Anglican School For Girls

2) St Mary's Anglican Girls' School

3) Perth Modern School

4) Presbyterian Ladies' College

5) Hale School

6) Christ Church Grammar School

7) Methodist Ladies' College

8) Scotch College

9) Penrhos College

10) Shenton College

11) Perth College

12) Sacred Heart College

13) Rossmoyne Senior High School

14) Churchlands Senior High School

15) Santa Maria College

16) Murdoch College

17) Willetton Senior High School

18) Wesley College

19) Swan Valley Anglican Community School

20) All Saints' College

Source: School Curriculum and Standards Authority, based on the percentage of 2013 Year 12 students to finish in the top 25 per cent in the state.

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Hundreds remember inseparable pair

Hundreds of people turned out to the memorial service for a Queensland mother and daughter who died in Bali.

THE MOTHER and daughter who tragically died in Bali have been remembered as inseparable who treated everyday as an adventure

Noelene Gaye Bischoff and her daughter Yvana Jean Yuri Bischoff were farewelled in a memorial at the Caloundra Citylife Baptist church on Thursday morning with hundreds of family and friends remembering the pair's love of travel, horse-riding and belly-dancing.

Noelene Bischoff, 54, and Yvana, 14, from the Sunshine Coast, died on Saturday less than 24 hours after arriving on the Indonesian island.

The cause of death isn't known at this stage, but there has been speculation a toxic fish caused them to fall fatally ill.

MUM AND DAUGHTER WERE NOT ILL, SAYS BALI DRIVER

BODIES WILL BE FLOWN TO QUEENSLAND FOR AUTOPSY

Friends, family and Queensland Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie attended the memorial service.

Yvana has been described as a high achiever who had won maths, science and English awards.

A memorial service has been held for Noelene and Yvana Bischoff at Caloundra CityLife Baptist Church. Picture: Adam Armstrong Adam

Kevin Bowe, Noelene's brother-in-law, delivered the eulogy and said when school holidays came around the pair loved to travel.

"They leave us with great memories of two very energetic people," he said.

"She (Yvana) was the type of girl who never sat still, always happy to be doing something whether it be swimming, belly-dancing, walking, training the dogs, riding horses and helping with the housework.

"Both girls enjoyed each other's company and were always out and about be it at coffee and cakes at their local shops or sometimes takeaway and a walk on the beach."

Mr Bowe  explained the devotion the two had to each other since Yvana's birth.

"She was a bit of a handful and would only accept Noelene,'' Mr Bowe said.

"Even if you looked at her, she'd start screaming.

Bischoff family spokesman Mal Brough thanks the community for their support in the wake of the deaths of Noelene and Yvana Bischoff in Bali.

"The were the best of friends and a pleasure to be around.'

Noelene was a dedicated nurse who had grown up around Gatton before a sea change to care for her mother on the Sunshine Coast while her daughter Yvana was a horse-lover who dreamt of becoming a vet.

A memorial service has been held for Noelene and Yvana Bischoff at Caloundra CityLife Baptist Church. Picture: Adam Armstrong Adam Source: CourierMail

Caloundra Hospital work colleague Linda King said all the staff knew Yvana, with her regularly ringing the hospital to say good night and good morning to her mother working on night shift.

"They always lived in laughter, always laughter," Ms King said.

Adrienne Cremin, whose son John was Yvana's half-brother, said the family may not have been "ordinary" but was instead "extraordinary".

"We will all miss Noelene and Yvana for the rest of our lives but nothing will change the fact that due to Noelene my son has a sister and our love for her will never change," she said.

Yvana and Noelene "always lived in laughter, always laughter" said one friend

Ms Cremin was contacted by Noelene about five years ago, telling her of their family bond.

"A normal family, clearly not, an extraordinary family, you bet," she said.

School friend Clare Anker said Yvana was a compassionate person and the deaths of the teen and her mother have shaken the small school.

"She was so intelligent, everything at her feet,'' Ms Anker said.

"She was just one of the nicest people I've ever met.

"Always smiling, just had a bright future.

Twelve hours before their deaths, Sunshine Coast mum and daughter Noelene and Yvana Bischoff laughed and joked with waitstaff over a seafood lunch.

Bali pair weren't ill, says driver Source: Supplied

Once Yvana grew up, the two would belly dance, kayak and holiday together.

They'd enjoyed many trips together, until their fateful Bali getaway.

Meanwhile, Indonesian police won't release their bodies until they can rule out criminal activity in their deaths.

The cause of death isn't known at this stage, but there is speculation toxic fish caused them to fall fatally ill.

Indonesian authorities initially agreed to the family's request for the bodies to be flown to Queensland for autopsies.

But lead Detective Adnan Pandibu says local police now want to continue their investigation after finding 29 types of medication in the Bischoffs' hotel room.

Queensland's coroner will investigate the deaths of a Queensland mother and daughter who fell ill in Bali.

"We have not ruled out criminal activity and we will not yet allow the release of the bodies from the morgue,'' he told the Daily Mail.

Antar-Bangsa Funeral Service, who was contacted by Australian authorities about transporting the bodies, says there has been a delay.

"For now we're not sure, we haven't heard anything after we were first contacted (by Australian authorities),'' spokesman Agus Prababe told AAP.

"We don't know what's happened.''

Bali taxi driver Kadek Budi has told how he drove Ms Bischoff and her daughter around on their last day alive.

He said when he dropped them off at their hotel, they were healthy and happy.

"She said 'thank you, we are very happy today, you are a good driver and after the Gili Islands, when I am back in Seminyak, I will call you again','' Mr Budi told News Corp Australia.

Noelene and Yvana were inseparable

``She was very friendly, the conversation was good and I thought I would see her again, and drive her again.''

Mother, daughter die on Bali holiday

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Prisoner transfer security 'beefed up'

THE boss of Western Australia's prisons has admitted weaknesses in the security of prison vans were partly to blame for the escape of a dangerous rapist last week.

Cameron John Graham was just weeks into an 11-year sentence for rape when he was permitted to move closer to his family in the north of the state for Christmas.

It was during his transfer by private prison contractor Serco last Friday that Graham and a fellow prisoner broke out of a prison van, stole a car and went on the run for days - sparking a furious public reaction.

New Corrective Services commissioner James McMahon admitted the reasons for the escape were "procedural and mechanical''.

Corrective Services Commissioner James McMahon. Source: News Limited

While he refused to detail those issues for security reasons, he said security had been beefed up.

"I have put directives in place that fix those issues ... and that is important because I need to know I can transport prisoners securely,'' Mr McMahon said.

Corrective Services Minister Joe Francis again apologised for the escape and said he would be addressing whether Serco should cover the cost of the prisoners' recapture in a face-to-face meeting next week.

Earlier today, Serco Asia-Pacific boss Mark Irwin has hit back at claims the company overcharged the WA Government for transporting prisoners, saying an internal review has found "nothing".

Serco has faced mounting pressure to front the public over the botched transfer, as well as allegations of price gouging.

Mr Francis has said he was investigating claims the private contractor had charged the Government tens of thousands of dollars to take prisoners short distances in regional WA.

Today Mr Irwin said the allegations were untrue.

Mark Irwin, CEO of Serco Asia Pacific. Source: Supplied

He said Serco carried out its own investigation into the claims and found "nothing to substantiate them".

It was alleged this week that Serco quoted or charged $23,000 for the transport of a prisoner from Geraldton to Carnarvon for a funeral in December 2012.

Mr Irwin said this was incorrect.

He said the final invoice and cost to the department was $10,367 - the majority of which was for an air charter to meet the timing of the funeral because a commercial flight was not available.

But he admitted the original quote for the service was $19,234.

The Department of Correctives Services signed off on the final invoice of $10,367, he added.

Under the current contract, Serco is paid a set monthly fee to provide baseline services.

Where "additional services" are requested, Serco says it provides quotes to the Department with an itemised estimate of costs.

Mr Irwin said the department reviews all quotes before approving them.

In the first nine months of 2013, Serco was paid $518,490 for 170 'additional services'.

The majority of those were prisoner transports and movements, with some additional security requests.

$77,980 of this work, mainly labour, was covered by the set monthly fee, according to the company.

Mr Irwin said Serco had requested documentary evidence to support the allegations made against the company but it had not been provided to them.

"We have reviewed these allegations and can find nothing to substantiate them," he said.

"We have informed the Department and the Government and provided them with our findings.

"I am proud of our work in WA and our people who deliver essential services. Rightly, the work that we do is subject to rigorous monitoring and review. We will keep working to offer better services and better value for money, but we want to be judged on the facts."

Mr Irwin said in the two years since Serco had managed Court Security and Custodial Services for the WA Government it had made almost 70,000 prisoner transports, an average of one every 15 minutes, covering almost three million kms.

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Back-to-back 48C days for Onslow

PERTH set for a scorching Saturday maximum of 43C while parts of the Pilbara town may push past 50C tomorrow.

IT didn't quite reach 50C but it's unlikely the good folk of Learmonth and Onslow really noticed the difference as the mercury maxed at over 48C.

While those in WA's north roast, it will soon be Perth's turn, with the latest forecast indicating that temperatures will hit 44C on Saturday.

The Pilbara's mega heatwave continued today - at Onslow Airport, almost 1400km north of Perth, the temperature reached 48.2C at about 12.30pm.

Learmonth Airport, near Exmouth and about 1250km north of Perth, was fractionally behind, recording a high of 48.1 just before 2.30pm.

The Bureau of Meteorology has been unable to obtain information from Emu Creek, where it was forecast to reach 49C and may get as high as 50C today.

Onslow has roasted through two of its hottest days on record, with temperatures soaring to 48.7C yesterday, closely followed by today's 48.2C.

It's expected to be slightly cooler in the mining town tomorrow, with a predicted top of 40C.

Learmonth's high today easily eclipsed its two recent 46C days and Monday and again yesterday.

Temperatures higher than 50C have been documented three times in Australia since records began over a century ago.

Mardie was the most recent to reach the level, in 1998, failing to beat the record set in the South Australian outback town of Oodnadatta on January 2, 1960, which reached 50.7C.

That record was threatened just last week during a heatwave in outback South Australia.

Matilda Branson and Matt Andrews being sunsmart on Perth beaches. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: News Limited

Soaring temperatures in the west follow an unprecedented new-year heatwave in which 34 locations - mostly in Queensland and NSW and with at least 40 years of data - recording their hottest-ever days between December 30 and January 4.

Queensland recorded its hottest day on January 2, with a statewide average maximum of 41.82C.

Narrabri in NSW broke the record high temperature by 3.6 degrees - the largest margin by which a long-term record has been topped.

And cities and towns including Tamworth, Gunnedah, Moree, Glen Innes and Inverell in NSW, and Toowoomba, Roma, Blackall, St George and Gympie in Queensland all experienced their hottest-ever days.

The heat in the Pilbara is caused by the super-heated air mass that hit the east coast earlier in the month, and which has circled the continent since forming over the Nullarbor in late December.

The bureau's Annual Climate Statement from 2013 confirmed last year was Australia's hottest on record.

"The year was remarkable for the large number of heat-related records that were set," said Climate Councillor Professor Will Steffen.

"The country experienced the hottest summer and warmest spring on record, the hottest January and warmest September on record and the hottest summer day and warmest winter day on record."

Lifesavers patrol the beach. Surf Life Saving WA are urging people tom take care on Saturday when temperatures are expected to reach 44C. Source: News Limited

'Crucial' that Perth beachgoers take extra care

In Perth, where temperatures are expected to reach 44C on Saturday, Surf Life Saving WA is expecting beaches to be packed, and is urging people to take extra care.

It has been a busy start to the Surf Life Saving season since patrols began in October, with 696 rescues, 1207 first-aid treatments and an additional 5827 actions taken to prevent incidents.

There have also been four coastal drowning deaths at unpatrolled spots.

Surf Life Saving WA community safety manager Chris Peck said it was crucial that beach-goers swam between the red and yellow flags, and followed the advice of lifesavers.

He said people also needed to be ``beach safe'' by supervising children, having aquatic skills, knowing first aid and CPR, and using appropriate safety gear and planning for emergencies.

"It is also vital that in hot conditions beach-goers regularly apply sunscreen, keep hydrated and remember that consumption of alcohol impairs physical responses and decision-making processes, and anyone that has consumed alcohol should not enter the water,'' Mr Peck said.

All major Perth beaches will be patrolled by Surf Life Saving services and Wesfarmers Lifesaver Jet-Ski teams over the weekend, as well as aerial surveillance between Yanchep and Mandurah by the Westpac Lifesaver Helicopter.

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Beaconsfield homes hit in dawn raids

Police arrested eight people and laid 28 charges in early morning raids across Beaconsfield today.

● Opinion: Don't forget about Perth's fringe

POLICE have raided 10 homes across Beaconsfield this morning uncovering drugs, weapons and stolen goods as part of an operation targeting crime and antisocial behaviour in the area.

The homes were raided from 6am this morning in a small pocket of Beaconsfield that bounds a park and accounts for 30 per cent of policing in the suburb.

Police raided 10 homes across Beaconsfield this morning uncovering drugs, weapons and stolen goods as part of a operation targeting crime and antisocial behaviour. Picture: Bohdan Warchomij

Police raided 10 homes across Beaconsfield this morning uncovering drugs, weapons and stolen goods as part of a operation targeting crime and antisocial behaviour. Picture: Bohdan Warchomij

Dozens of officers from the local police station, detectives, mounted section, air wing, regional operations group and the dog squad were a part of Operation Dellwood operation.

In figures released this afternoon, police revealed officers arrested eight people, summonsed another eight to appear in court at a later date and laid 28 charges in total.

Those charges include possessing methylamphetamine and cannabis with intent to sell or supply, possessing cannabis, drug paraphernalia, ammunition, an unlicensed firearm and silencer, stealing a motor vehicle, unlawful possession, breach of bail and disorderly conduct.

Police raided 10 homes across Beaconsfield this morning uncovering drugs, weapons and stolen goods as part of a operation targeting crime and antisocial behaviour. Picture: Bohdan Warchomij

Earlier today, Acting Superintendent Peter Morrissey said Operation Dellwood targeted known drug houses and houses linked to antisocial behaviour.

"We've executed at this stage 10, with the probability of more, search warrants targeting drugs and stolen property," Supt Morrissey said.

"There's an inextricable link between anti-social behaviour, the use of alcohol and drugs and volume crime and a lot of the tasking we do in this area is linked to drug and alcohol abuse and anti-social behaviour."

Police raided 10 homes across Beaconsfield this morning uncovering drugs, weapons and stolen goods as part of a operation targeting crime and antisocial behaviour. Picture: Bohdan Warchomij

The small part of Beaconsfield targeted were the Edgar Court, Conway Court, O'Reilly Close and Caesar Street.

Supt Morrissey said a stolen scooter, methylamphetamine, MDMA, a silencer, machete and replica firearm had been uncovered in the searches.

"It's not all about a stats driven investigation, we weren't here with that in mind, we were targeting people with the hope we were able to obtain evidence to prosecute people," he said.

"But it's also to instil that confidence in the community by seeing a lot of blue shirts here doing a lot of proactive policing as well as reactive policing."

Supt Morrissey said the operation would continue over the next few weeks in the South Metropolitan Police District.

Residents with information about local crime, drug dealing and anti-social behaviour are urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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Man charged over freeway fatality

Police have charged a 54-year-old man over yesterday's fatal crash on the Mitchell Freeway which resulted in a motorcyclist being killed.

The scene of a fatal freeway crash. Police have now located the white Toyota Hilux, which police have labelled a vehicle of interest. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

POLICE have charged a 54-year-old man over yesterday's crash on the Mitchell Freeway which resulted in a motorcyclist being killed.

The crash happened about 4.45pm when a Toyota Hilux utility struck the 34-year-old victim's Suzuki motorcycle which was travelling north on the freeway.

The crash then forced a Subaru Outback into the concrete wall next to the Leederville Train Station.

The woman driver of that car suffered minor injuries.

The motorcyclist suffered fatal injuries and died in hospital.

It will be alleged the 54-year-old man was driving the Hilux and that he did not stop at the scene of the crash.

He was later arrested at his Innaloo home.

Police have confirmed the motorcycle was dragged for a distance, but not the rider.

The accused man has been charged with dangerous driving occasioning death, fail to stop and render assistance, fail to report a traffic incident to police and dangerous driving causing bodily harm.

He was bailed to appear in the Perth Magistrates Court for the first time on January 22.

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Bali deaths: bodies to be flown home

Queensland's coroner will investigate the deaths of a Queensland mother and daughter who fell ill in Bali.

THE bodies of the mother and daughter who tragically died in Bali will be flown home to Queensland in the coming days.

Acting Attorney-General David Crisafulli said the family of Noelene and Yvana Bischoff had accepted an offer from Virgin Australia to fly the bodies from Bali to Queensland.

Mr Crisafulli said once the bodies arrived in Brisbane, autopsies would be carried out by the Coroner.

"I want to thank the airline for the generosity and speed with which this offer has been made," Mr Crisafulli said.

Noelene and Yvana Bischoff. Picture: Supplied

"We will continue to help the Bischoff family in any way we can during this time."

Indonesian drugs used to treat an allergic reaction were found in the hotel room of Noelene Bischoff and her 14-year-old daughter, who mysteriously died in Bali on Saturday.

Noelene, a Sunshine Coast nurse, had packed all the medications she might need on an overseas holiday.

The Indonesian Police Forensic Laboratory shows all the medicine found in room of two Australian Noelene Gaye Bischoff and her daughter Yvana Jean Yuri Bischoff who died on Saturday early morning in Bali suspected allergy.

Indonesian police investigating the pair's sudden deaths revealed they found 29 prescription and non-prescription medications in the pair's room, including two Indonesian-made anti-allergy drugs, as well as vitamins and over-the-counter drugs such as Nurofen and Immodium.

FAMILY REJECT BALI AUTOPSY

HAPPY, SMILING BEFORE BALI DEATHS

DID TOXIC FISH KILL MUM AND DAUGHTER?

The pair were holidaying in Bali before they became critically ill late Friday night.

Indonesian police yesterday said they had decided to respect the family's wishes to have the bodies returned to Australia for autopsies.

Noelene's brother Malcolm Bischoff said the family was desperate for answers: "All we want is the truth."

Yesterday Queensland's acting Attorney-General David Crisafulli said the Queensland coroner would perform the autopsies after contact with the family.

"I am under the understanding that DFAT has already begun negotiations with the Indonesian Government so I really would like to think it could occur sooner rather than later," he said.

The Bischoffs' local MP, Mal Brough, told media that a memorial service for the mother and daughter would be held at a Caloundra church on Thursday morning.

"Everyone is working to the same ends ... expediting the process," Mr Brough said, before thanking the Indonesian authorities for their cooperation.

Bischoff family spokesman Mal Brough thanks the community for their support in the wake of the deaths of Noelene and Yvana Bischoff in Bali.

Richard Day, Professor of Clinical Pharmacology at St Vincents Hospital, said the large collection of drugs was indicative of someone preparing for an overseas trip.

Prof Day described them as "standard medicines" covering problems such as diarrhoea and infectious diseases.

"There would be a mixture of being cautious and being a health professional, more cautious, in addition to having pre-existing conditions of asthma and migraines," he said.

Indonesian authorities have suggested the pair died from an allergy and not poisoning, but the family has insisted the mother and daughter did not suffer from allergies.

Supt Adnan Pandibu, the criminal investigation chief in Karangasem police district said they would continue with the investigation. The medicines were found in a toiletries bag in the Bischoff's room at the Padang Bay Beach Resort in East Bali.

At least three of the medications found were anti-allergy drugs and one strip of antihistamine tablets had several taken from it.

Also found in the room was paracetamol, eye and ear drops and a range of anti-nausea and drugs for stomach upsets and asthma medications as well as a sedative and antidepressant.

Officers at the Bali police forensics lab said yesterday that it was the first time they had encountered so many different types of medication in the belongings of a traveller

Officers at the police forensic laboratory have begun tests on the drugs and on drinks and vomit found in their room.

One of the anti-allergy medications found was Camidryl - a 10ml ampoule for use as an injection which was made in Indonesia.

The bottle had not been opened but medical professionals say it is a strong anti-allergy medication.

There was also a small packet of needles, one of which appeared to have been used.

Pharmacies in Indonesia sell a variety of drugs over the counter without the need for prescriptions and often a strip of small needles is sold with an ampoule for injection.

The medications also included another powerful anti-allergy drug called Kalmethasone, which is also administered by injection and could be used for severe asthma.

There was a strip of 10 tablets of Cortisone, also made in Indonesia. An box of Transbroncho medicine, made in Indonesia, was also found.

Two asthma inhalers were also discovered, one of which had an expiry date of June 2007. The migraine tablets were the only ones with a prescription attached to them.

Indonesian police said their investigations were continuing.

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50C day looms as Pilbara roasts

PERTH set for a scorching Saturday maximum of 43C while parts of the Pilbara town may push past 50C tomorrow.

PERTH might be set for a scorching weekend with a Saturday maximum of 43C but spare a though for the people in the Pilbara town of Onslow.

The town has roasted through one of its hottest days on record, with temperatures soaring to an almost unbearable 48.7C.

And forecasters are warning of an even hotter day tomorrow, with the national heat record of 50.7C likely to come under threat.

The weather station at Onslow Airport, nearly 1400 kilometres north of Perth, was in danger of frying as it recorded temperatures of more than 40C at 9am local time on Wednesday.

It peaked at 48.7C at 2.12pm.

The Bureau of Meteorology predicts the Pilbara region around Emu Creek will potentially reach more than 50C tomorrow afternoon.

Onslow wasn't alone, with notorious hotspot Mardie chalking up a top of 47.5C today, while Learmonth, Paraburdoo, Roebourne and Telfer all pushed past 44C.

Temperatures higher than 50C have been documented three times in Australia since records began over a century ago.

Mardie was the most recent to reach the level, in 1998, failing to beat the record set in the South Australian outback town of Oodnadatta on January 2, 1960, which reached 50.7C.

That record was threatened just last week during a heatwave in outback South Australia.

Matilda Branson and Matt Andrews being sunsmart on Perth beaches. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: News Limited

Soaring temperatures in the west follow an unprecedented new-year heatwave in which 34 locations - mostly in Queensland and NSW and with at least 40 years of data - recording their hottest-ever days between December 30 and January 4.

Queensland recorded its hottest day on January 2, with a statewide average maximum of 41.82C.

Narrabri in NSW broke the record high temperature by 3.6 degrees - the largest margin by which a long-term record has been topped.

And cities and towns including Tamworth, Gunnedah, Moree, Glen Innes and Inverell in NSW, and Toowoomba, Roma, Blackall, St George and Gympie in Queensland all experienced their hottest-ever days.

The heat in the Pilbara is caused by the super-heated air mass that hit the east coast earlier in the month, and which has circled the continent since forming over the Nullarbor in late December.

The bureau's Annual Climate Statement from 2013 confirmed last year was Australia's hottest on record.

"The year was remarkable for the large number of heat-related records that were set," said Climate Councillor Professor Will Steffen.

"The country experienced the hottest summer and warmest spring on record, the hottest January and warmest September on record and the hottest summer day and warmest winter day on record."

In Perth, the forecast has been updated and it's predicted that mercury will now reach 43C on Saturday before cooling to a relatively mild 35C on Sunday.

A cooler change is forecast for Monday with a top of 30C predicted.

This most recent spate of hot temperatures comes as a new report released today by the Climate Council confirms 2013 was Australia's hottest year ever since weather records began in 1910.

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Shark kill snag as govt misses its deadline

The Barnett Government's new shark control strategy has hit its first snag after it failed to meet its self-imposed tender deadline. Source: News Limited

THE Barnett Government's new shark control strategy has hit its first snag after it failed to meet its self-imposed tender deadline.

Despite saying it would announce who had been awarded the controversial contract to catch and kill sharks as part of its new 'mitigation' policy by the end of this week, the state government has been forced to admit it will be delayed.

A spokesman at the Department of Premier and Cabinet confirmed baited drum lines would not be deployed on Friday saying a successful tenderer still hadn't been chosen.

SHARK KILL PLAN

$1M COST, LOCATIONS REVEALED

THOUSANDS RALLY

LEGAL CHALLENGE FLAGGED

Thousands of protestors and supporters gathered at Cottesloe Beach last week to voice their objection to the State Government's shark policy.

The WA Government's new shark control strategy hit a first snag after it failed to meet its self-imposed tender deadline.

Just before Christmas the state government put out its tender to employ professional fisherman to hunt and shoot any great white, tiger or bull shark over three metres that swam into a designated 'kill zone'.

It gave applicants until January 3 to respond. The government then said it would announce who had been chosen on January 10.

But it has now emerged that the contracts will not be finalised until next week, although a spokeswoman for the Premier said the start date had always been prone to shift.

``The time taken for the tenders' panel to turn it around was of course dependent on the number of tenders received and whether they strictly comply with criteria,'' the spokeswoman said.

``The end goal is to implement this policy as expeditiously as possible without jeopardising operator safety or skipping over necessary due diligence.''

Premier Colin Barnett holding a hook which is part of the baited drum line that will be used to catch and kill sharks as part of the WA Government's new shark control policy.

Opposition fisheries spokesman Dave Kelly said it was a sign the policy was rushed.

``When this policy was announced prior to Christmas, the Premier said this was a matter of public safety, a matter of almost life and death,'' Mr Kelly said.

``Three days the government was alluding to children being taken from Scarborough beach, now ... they are saying their own deadline won't be met. The government has completely botched this.''

Environmental activists have threatened to disrupt the baited hooks, with some commercial fishermen concerned their operations and crew could be put at risk.

Under the policy, the professional fisherman would be responsible for baiting and managing the 72 baited drum lines that would be deployed 1km off shore at eight locations in WA, seven days a weeks, 12 hours a day.

Earlier this week the Greens said the government's tender was open to a legal challenge because it had not been advertised properly.

Greens MLC Lynn MacLaren said under the State Supply Commission policy on open and effective competition, a tender where the procurement would cost more than $150,000 must be advertised for at least 10 working days.

She said the $1 million contract had been advertised for only six working days from December 23 to January 3.

A Department of Premier and Cabinet spokesman said at the time the shark tender was exempted from the minimum 10-day advertising period because of public safety.

Last weekend thousands of protestors gathered at Cottesloe Beach in a a rally against the government's shark plan.

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England stars save suicidal man

Matt Prior and Stuart Broad have come to a suicidal man's aid in Sydney. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: News Limited

ENGLAND cricketers Matt Prior and Stuart Broad have been credited with helping prevent a suicidal man from jumping off a bridge in Sydney.

Prior is said to have pulled the man - who was saying he wanted to drown - away from the edge of the Pyrmont Bridge in Darling Harbour in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Prior and Broad, who had been attending a Barmy Army charity event nearby, talked to the man for nearly an hour before police arrived, the London Daily Telegraph reported.

"We just did what anybody would do in that situation," Prior told the newspaper. "We were trying to help a bloke who was struggling and in a bad way. I look back and I'm just glad we left the bar when we did and we were there for him."

The man was believed to be from Cheltenham, England, but did not recognise the players. He had thrown his passport and wallet in the water.

The Telegraph said the players initially believed the man was standing on the bridge's railing as part of a dare, but upon realising the seriousness of the incident they went to the man's aid.

Prior approached the man with caution because he was behaving erratically and started a conversation.

'A tough situation' ... Stuart Broad (centre) said he was "very proud" of England teammate Matt Prior (left) after he went to the aid of the man. Source: AFP

The England team's security officer Terry Minish also helped in preventing the man from leaping into the water.

"Walking back to the hotel we spotted a young man on the edge of the bridge about to jump," said Minish.

"He was saying he just wanted to drown. Matt helped to pull him down off the edge of the bridge and sat with him until the police arrived. It all happened very quickly and we acted on impulse. It is what you do in these situations."

Broad tweeted of his pride at Prior's actions.

"@MattPrior13 is a best friend of mine and I'm very proud of him. It was a tough situation but so glad he was there."

After the man made a motion to jump, Prior and Minish and wrestled him to the floor on the safety of the bridge.

The England cricket team were staying at Paragon Hotel in Circular Key but enjoyed their end of tour party at Bungalow 8 in Darling Harbour.

A spokesman for Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club said: "Stuart and Matt are both very calm and level-headed characters so it's no surprise that they were able to act appropriately in this situation.

"They'll probably never know the significance of their actions but they can be proud to have intervened and taken the time to wait for the authorities to arrive."

The incident occurred after Prior and Broad had helped raise 8000 pounds ($14,700) for the Broad Appeal, in aid of Motor Neurone Disease, along with teammates Ben Stokes, Joe Root and Gary Ballance.

Prior has now returned to England but Broad is staying for the three Twenty20 matches against Australia.

Broad and Prior both featured in England's 5-0 Ashes loss to Australia.

If you're feeling depressed, you can contact Lifeline 24/7 at 13 11 14. Call 000 if a life is in immediate danger.

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