Aberdeen Australia Equity Fund, Inc. Announces Performance Data and Portfolio Composition

PHILADELPHIA, June 1  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Aberdeen Australia Equity Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") (NYSE AMEX: IAF), a closed-end equity fund, announced today its performance data and portfolio composition as of April 30, 2009.

The Fund's total returns for various periods through April 30, 2009 are provided below.  (All figures are based on distributions reinvested at the dividend reinvestment price and are stated net-of-fees):

  Period                 NAV Total Return %    Market Price Total Return %
                     Cumulative    Annualized   Cumulative   Annualized


  Since inception       412.1          7.2         379.7         6.9
  (December 1985)
  10-years              113.4          7.9         142.6         9.3
  5-years                46.5          7.9          64.4        10.5
  3-years               -11.4         -4.0         -19.2        -6.9
  1-year                       -39.1                     -45.3



The Fund's returns, which are denominated in U.S. dollars, are affected by the performance of the U.S. dollar against the Australian dollar.

On April 30, 2009, the Fund's net assets amounted to US$155.0 million and the Fund's NAV per share was $8.07.

  As of April 30, 2009, the portfolio was invested as follows:


  Portfolio Composition                             Percent of
                                                    Net Assets
  Consumer Discretionary                                8.1
  Consumer Staples                                     15.9
  Energy                                                3.8
  Finance                                              26.9
  HealthCare                                            2.8
  Industrials                                           3.3
  Information Technology                                1.7
  Materials                                            21.9
  Other                                                 4.0
  Property                                              3.1
  Telecommunications                                    2.8
  Utilities                                             5.7



The Fund's ten largest equity holdings as of April 30, 2009, representing 60.3% of net assets, were:

  Stock                                             Percent of
                                                    Net Assets
  BHP Billiton Limited                                 13.5
  QBE Insurance Group Limited                           7.6
  Rio Tinto Limited                                     6.1
  Westpac Banking Corporation Limited                   6.0
  Woolworths Limited                                    5.8
  Lion Nathan Limited                                   5.1
  Australia & New Zealand Banking Group
  Limited                                               4.2
  Commonwealth Bank of Australia Limited                4.2
  AGL Energy Limited                                    4.0
  Woodside Petroleum Limited                            3.8

  Important Information


Aberdeen Asset Management Inc., the Fund's Administrator, has prepared this report based on information sources believed to be accurate and reliable. However, the figures are unaudited and neither the Fund, the Administrator, Aberdeen Asset Management Asia Limited (the Investment Manager), Aberdeen Asset Management Limited (the Investment Adviser), nor any other person guarantees their accuracy.  Investors should seek their own professional advice and should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses before acting on this information. Aberdeen is a U.S. registered service mark of Aberdeen Asset Management PLC.

Total return figures with distributions reinvested at the dividend reinvestment price are stated net-of-fees and represents past performance.  Past performance is not indicative of future results, current performance may be higher or lower.  Inception date December 12, 1985.

If you wish to receive this information electronically, please contact:  

DATASOURCE: Aberdeen Australia Equity Fund, Inc.



CONTACT:  Aberdeen Asset Management Inc., Investor Relations,

[phone], 

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