Australia poll deadlock no closer to resolution

CANBERRA - Australia's conservative opposition has agreed to allow Treasury officials to analyze its election promises, removing a major obstacle to talks with five independent and Green MPs on forming a new minority government, Prime Minister Julia Gillard said on Friday.

Labor's Gillard had already agreed to release her government's costings and said she had "productive" talks on Friday with the Green MP toward forming a government.

But Australia's political deadlock is no closer to resolution, with continued vote counting in the inconclusive election which resulted in a hung parliament, and talks expected to drag into late next week or the week after.