Australia shares poised to open lower, New Zealand flat

Australian shares were likely to open lower on Tuesday as a risk-off sentiment prevailed ahead of a key interest rate decision by the Reserve Bank of Australia later in the day. The local share price index futures fell 0.3%, a 41.8-point discount to the underlying S&P/ASX 200 index close. The benchmark ended 0.6% higher on Monday. New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index was flat in early trade.