SYDNEY (AAP) - May 24 - The commonwealth watchdog is struggling to cope with the large number of asylum seeker cases it has to review.

SYDNEY (AAP) - May 24 - Coal will remain a key power source for the world until the middle of the century and if Australia doesn't provide the fossil fuel then countries will seek it elsewhere, the

Australians might still be flocking to New Zealand but they're not opening their wallets as wide as they used to, the country's tour operators say.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard says more poor students have access to an university education following a boost in government funding.

SYDNEY (AAP) - May 23 - Immigration Minister Chris Bowen has been left red-faced after trumpeting a massive decrease in boat arrivals only to later realise his claims did not stack up.

SYDNEY (AAP) - May 23 - Customs officers have described the anguish of asylum seekers pleading for infants to be rescued after their boat crashed into rocks on Christmas Island.

SYDNEY (AAP) - May 22 - Dual Brownlow Medallist Adam Goodes has escaped suspension for tripping a rival during Sydney's big AFL loss to Hawthorn at the weekend.

A Sydney man accused of being part of a murder plot with the Ibrahim brothers has had the case against him thrown out by a magistrate.

SYDNEY (AAP) - May 23 - Australia is one of just a handful of countries still debating the science of global warming, the Gillard government's climate commission chief Tim Flannery says.

SYDNEY (AAP) - May 23 - There'll be no Tim Cahill but otherwise the Socceroos are expected to name close to a full-strength squad on Tuesday for their two June internationals in Australia.