Australia has been voted the Unluckiest Country In The World by a panel of experts specialising in assessing Bad Luck Events.
A disastrous 12 months - in which the former colony suffered billions of pounds worth of damage after cyclones, floods and forest fires - has seen the country jump to the top of the charts.
Coupled with the humiliating loss of the Ashes to England (whose national sporting teams don't exactly enjoy a great reputation in world sport at present)and the election of Julia Gilliard as 27th Prime Minster , experts warn that things aren't likely to get much better for the hard pressed Aussies.
After only a few months in office, Gilliard is already in the unenviable position of being nominated as the Most Wooden Leader In The World, having assumed that mantle from former U.K. Prime Minister Gordon "Let's Try That Smile Again" Brown.
