Moves to tidy News Corp Australia's regional and community newspaper interests include 'glossing over' part of its Quest distribution area in northern Brisbane.

The publisher says extension of its glossy Brisbane News product across areas now serviced by Quest's City North and City South editions are behind a decision to close the two Quest mastheads. "News remains committed to regional and community newspapers with a network of more than 140 titles across Australia," says the company." A spokesperson said there were no associated redundancies.

Having already sold its Perth Sunday Times and related WA websites to Seven West Media, News is also selling out of the jointly-owned Community Newspapers Group, of which it owned a majority 50.1 per cent stake.

News is thought to be interested in selling some of its regional newspapers - including some of those it acquired from APN News & Media (now HT&E) - to Antony Catalano and his backers, following their acquisition of the former Fairfax Australian Community Newspapers business from Nine Entertainment.