Kidman and Urban Top Aussie Rich List

Country star Keith Urban has made a surprise appearance at the top of Australia's rich list, beating off competition from fellow Antipodeans Russell Crowe and Eric Bana. The 38-year-old singer's recent success in America has almost quadrupled his earning's from $4.7 million last year to $20 million this year--tying him in equal fourth place with X-Men star Hugh Jackman. Urban was beaten by his girlfriend Nicole Kidman, who came third in the list with an annual earning of $22.3 million. The celebrity pair came just behind children's group The Wiggles and legendary rockers AC/DC, who came first and second respectively in BRW magazine's list of Australia's 50 richest performers in 2005. Pop star Kylie Minogue ranked sixth on the list, followed by Cate Blanchett, children's group HI-5, and actors Eric Bana, Naomi Watts and Geoffrey Rush. Hollywood star Russell Crowe, who has taken a break from acting to perform with new band The Ordinary Fear of God, dropped to 18th on the list this year, with just $5 million in earnings compared to last year's $27 million.