The construction of a groundbreaking radio telescope capable of scanning the darkest depths of the universe will be headed up by one of Australia’s top astronomers.

Five Australian universities are among the world’s 100 best tertiary institutions, according to new rankings.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard says her reshuffled cabinet, which includes three new faces, will give her Labor government extra “firepower” in 2012.

The federal government has played down an unexpected spike in the jobless rate above five per cent, saying Australia’s labour market is still the envy of the world.