Australian shares rose to a near one-month high on Wednesday, underpinned by commodity stocks, after mining giant BHP hit a record high, while a slower-than-expected economic growth reaffirmed expectations of a temporary pause in rate hikes. The S&P/ASX 200 index was up 0.4% at 8 754.70 points, as of 01:38 GMT. Earlier in the session, the benchmark touched its highest level since May 8, after closing flat on Tuesday.