The Greens and the opposition have questioned why a people smuggler operating from Australia hasn’t been caught. An ABC Four Corners’ investigation reveals the man posed as an asylum seeker after captaining a boat from Indonesia. At least six others on the boat also received refugee status. The AFP says it’s arrested 14 alleged organized since Sep. 2008. 

 

Economists are split on whether the Reserve Bank will cut the official cash rate by 25 or 50 basis points when it meets today. A Bloomberg Survey of 27 economists indicates most believe the RBA will cut rates by 25 basis points. 

 

More than 60 homes in eastern Victoria are being evacuated this morning as heavy rain and winds overnight take their toll. Ferocious winds have brought down hundreds of trees throughout the region. Flash flooding and power outages have closed the Princes Highway, east of Orbost. 

 

Syrian rebels have announced they’re abandoning the U.N.-backed ceasefire. But the U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says Kofi Annan’s plan is central to resolving the conflict. 

 

The prime minister and the opposition leader have attended a beacon lighting ceremony in Canberra to mark the queen’s diamond jubilee. More than 4000 beacons are being lit throughout the Commonwealth as part of the festivities. But Prince Philip Will misses the rest of the celebrations after he was admitted to hospital with a bladder infection. Queen will light the final beacon at that concert in London.