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SYDNEY, July 4 (Reuters) - Australian shares closed higher on Monday as hefty gains among industrial and precious metals miners eclipsed policy uncertainty following an inconclusive result in the nation's general election.
The S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO advanced 0.67 percent or 35 points to 5,281.8.
New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 finished 14.7 points, or 0.2 percent up at 6940.95 (Editing by Shri Navaratnam)