* Aussie benchmark hits over 1-week high
* Mining index on track for 5th straight gain
* Restaurant Brands top pct loser on NZ benchmark
By Aby Jose Koilparambil
April 1 (Reuters) - Australian shares rose on Monday, starting the June quarter on a positive note as strong Chinese data bolstered miners and gains on Wall Street lifted broader investor sentiment.
The S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO rose 0.7 percent to 6,226.20, more than a one-week high, by 0001 GMT. The benchmark had risen 0.1 percent on Friday and added 0.7 percent in the March quarter.
An official survey on Sunday showed factory activity in China, Australia's biggest trade partner, unexpectedly grew for the first time in four months in March. Street rose on Friday amid signs of progress in U.S.-China trade talks. Beijing said it would continue to suspend additional tariffs on U.S. vehicles and auto parts after April 1 in a goodwill gesture after Washington delayed tariff hikes on Chinese imports. delegation led by Vice Premier Liu He will be in Washington this week for another round of talks. .N
"Positive news and trading on Friday night along with the release of stronger-than-expected data from China is helping the local sentiment. The manufacturing outlook in China has lifted commodity prices," said Michael McCarthy, chief market strategist at CMC Markets.
Australia's metals and mining sub-index .AXMM rose about 1 percent and was on track to post a fifth straight session of gains, with sector giants BHP Group BHP.AX and Rio Tinto (LON:RIO) RIO.AX firming 1.3 percent each, while Fortescue Metals Group FMG.AX added 4.4 percent.
Chinese iron ore futures rose sharply on Friday after Vale SA VALE3.SA slashed its 2019 sales estimate and Rio Tinto declared force majeure on some contracts after tropical cyclone Veronica. .AXFJ supported the broader sentiment, adding about 0.9 percent. The Big Four banks advanced between 0.5 percent and 1.1 percent.
Shares in supermarket chain Woolworths Group WOW.AX rose as much as 2.8 percent after the company said it would close 30 stores at BIG W, its loss-making discount department store chain, along with two distribution centres. stocks .AXGD dropped up to 1.5 percent as the higher risk appetite dented the appeal of the safe-haven metal.
Investors are looking ahead to Tuesday's Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) policy meeting and the federal budget.
Although the RBA is expected to keep rates at 1.5 percent on the back of a resilient labour market, predictions that the central bank will lower rates later this year have increased significantly. government's annual budget is expected to contain measures to boost the economy, including tax and spending sweeteners ahead of a federal election due by May 18. the Tasman Sea, New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 fell up to 0.4 percent to 9,804.
Restaurant Brands New Zealand Ltd RBD.NZ was the top percentage loser on the benchmark, shedding 4 percent.