SYDNEY/WELLINGTON: The Australian dollar eased to a three-week low on Tuesday as the country's central bank edged closer to buying longer-dated government debt, in part to put downward pressure on both yields and the local currency. The Aussie dipped to $0.7042 - below chart support at $0.7054 and opening the way for a test of the September trough at $0.7004.

The New Zealand dollar also slipped a little to $0.6584, but remained above support at $0.6574. Futures for 10-year bonds firmed to 99.250, near the highest since March when markets were tipped into turmoil as economies across the globe began shutting to fight the coronavirus.