The Rupert Murdoch-controlled company said on Thursday it would close the daily newspaper, which is distributed on train platforms and other CBD locations in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.

Staff have been told the publication will cease in two weeks. "The decision is a reflection of the changing reading habits of commuters who now turn to their mobile phones and tablets on their way to and from work," News Corp said in a statement.

"News will continue to invest in our extensive suite of print and digital products, which are purchased and read by millions of Australians every day."

The equivalent of 30 full time journalists will be affected across Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, but it is not clear how many will lose their jobs.

Management has told staff redundancies are inevitable although they will try to redeploy some positions to other News Corp mastheads.

The paper's five staff in Brisbane had no warning the axe was about to fall and were first informed about their closure early Thursday afternoon.

The closure comes three months after a restructure that dramatically cut staffing numbers across its three metro sites to create a greater sharing of content.

At the same time, the company poured $200,000 into the development of a smartphone app and its digital site.

The paper was first published in Melbourne in 2001 before rapidly growing to other major cities including Sydney and Brisbane.

with staff writers