Oct 19 (Reuters) - Australian shares are expected to rise on Monday as Victoria state easing its lockdown on declining coronavirus cases is likely to lift the mood, helped by U.S. officials saying a new stimulus package could be passed before elections.
The local share price index futures YAPcm1 rose 0.6%, a 26.2-point premium to the underlying S&P/ASX 200 index .AXJO close, as at 2102 GMT. The benchmark fell 0.5% on Friday.
New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index .NZ50 rose 0.2% in early trade.