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SIGNATURE EUGENE. S. STARK
TITLE ASSISTANT TREASURER
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<CIK> 0000779336
<NAME> THE FIRST AUSTRALIA FUND, INC.
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 001
<NAME> THE FIRST AUSTRALIA FUND, INC. (CLASS A)
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> OCT-31-1995
<PERIOD-END> APR-30-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 154,510,482
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 181,219,188
<RECEIVABLES> 1,222,130
<ASSETS-OTHER> 9,635,539
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 192,076,857
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 2,072,453
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 837,927
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 2,910,380
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
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<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 16,914,278
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<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 1,320,097
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
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<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 15,221,460
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 16,452,247
<NET-ASSETS> 189,166,477
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 2,467,533
<INTEREST-INCOME> 340,323
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
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<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 1,554,288
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<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (2,561,730)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (3,197,943)
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</TABLE>
For the semi-annual period ended (a)4/30/96
File number (c) 811-4438
SUB-ITEM 77C
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security
Holders
An Annual Meeting of Shareholders was
called for March 14, 1996. At such meeting
the shareholders approved the following
proposals:
1) To elect five Directors as Class II
Directors for a
three-year term:
Affirmative
Votes Cast Votes Withheld
Rt. Hon. Malcolm Fraser 13,146,439.3689 692,246.2101
Harry A. Jacobs, Jr. 13,205,678.9659 633,006.6171
Howard A. Knight 13,161,653.8922 677,031.6908
Richard H. McCoy 13,168,699.1417 669,986.4413
Brian M. Sherman 13,165,456.9872 673,228.5958
2) To ratify the selection of Price
Waterhouse LLP as
independent public accountants of the Fund for
the fiscal year ending October 31, 1996:
Affirmative Negative
Votes Cast
Votes Cast
13,359,251.0822
110,608.3103
3) In their discretion on any other
business which may properly come before
the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
For the six months ended (a) 04/30/96
File # 811-4438
SUB _ ITEM 77J
Reclassification of Capital Accounts
Reclassification of Capital Accounts: The Fund
accounts and reports for distributions to
shareholders in accordance with AICPA
Statement of Position 93-2: Determination,
Disclosure, and Financial Statement
Presentation of Income, Capital Gain, and
Return of Capital Distributions by Investment
Companies. During the period ended April 30,
1996, the Fund increased undistributed net
investment income by $644,472, increased
accumulated net realized gains on investments
by $128,872, and decreased accumulated
realized and unrealized foreign exchange gains
by $773,344. Net investment income, net
realized gains and net assets were not
affected by this change.
