The ABC has heard a voice note sent from the mother of an Iranian women's soccer player warning her to stay in Australia, or "they" will kill her.

Iran's Foreign Ministry has described US and Israeli strikes as "organised bullying at its finest" and accused them of trying to control global energy resources.

The New South Wales government has launched an investigation after two foster children were allowed to share a home with a triple-killer in Sydney's west.

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US President Donald Trump's administration says Iran has been hit with the "most intense" day of strikes since hostilities began as it looks for ways to bring an end to the fighting and re-open the vital trade route, the Strait of Hormuz.

But calls from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urging Iranians to rise up against their repressive regime have been met with an ominous warning to those who might be planning to take part in protests.

The head of Iran's police force has warned the country's citizens that they will be treated as "the enemy" if they hold protests or try to bring down their rulers.

One of the Iranian women who sought asylum in Australia has changed her mind and decided to return home.

The government has confirmed several Australian consulates in the Middle East have physically closed due to the escalating conflict.

And technical glitches have impacted the first day of NAPLAN assessments at schools around the country, with 1.3 million students unable to access the online system used for testing.

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The Nationals have elected Matt Canavan as their new leader ahead of the upcoming Farrer by-election, which will be a highly-contested race for the conservative side of politics.

Ukraine says its military experts are on their way to the Middle East to share their expertise on downing drones, as the U-S and Israel continue striking Iran. 

And Australian fashion designer Katie Perry has won her High Court battle with international pop star Katy Perry, in a long running trademark case.

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The Nationals have voted in conservative Matt Canavan as their new leader following the shock resignation of David Littleproud.

He says Australians are losing their standard of living and he wants them to rediscover their relaxed and larrikin nature.

He's a renowned supporter of the coal industry and has railed against action on climate change, especially the net zero goal.

Victorian MP Darren Chester's been elected deputy leader.

The Iranian regime's warning its residents not to take to the streets, with its chief of police saying protesters will be 'treated as the enemy' and his forces 'have their fingers on the trigger'.

The US and Israel have been pounding Iran with strikes and want residents to overthrow the regime.

The war's disrupting global fuel supplies and in Australia that's hurting many businesses especially farmers, while also raising fears it'll push up inflation and see interest rate rises.

South Australian police have returned to a remote station where four-year-old boy Gus Lamont went missing in September last year.

Police say they're searching several locations at Oak Park Station for evidence in the case.

Police have previously said two of Gus's family members are not cooperating with investigators, and have indicated they have a suspect.

Queensland Senator Matt Canavan is the new leader of the Nationals following a partyroom vote to replace David Littleproud after his shock resignation.

Victorian MP Darren Chester has been elected as his deputy.

They take the helm of the party at a time of turmoil as the Coalition reels from dire polling and the rise of One Nation.

The war in the Middle East continues to cause deep concern globally.

The closed Strait of Hormuz is disrupting global fuel supplies and the US says it's destroyed Iranian mine laying ships near the key shipping route.

Petrol stations in Australia are urging people not to panic buy fuel and the overall impact on inflation means there's more expectation of an interest rate rise.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission's found two people investigated over the so-called 'Robodebt' scheme engaged in serious corrupt conduct but it won't refer either to face charges.

The commission says key statements made during the investigation are not admissible in criminal proceedings.

The former Coalition Government scheme incorrectly demanded tens of thousands of welfare recipients pay debts they don't owe.

The commission cleared four other individuals of corrupt conduct including former Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has confirmed two members of the Iranian soccer team have been granted humanitarian visas, so they can stay in Australia, and that brings the total number now to seven.

The latest people to seek asylum are a player and support person and the federal police helped them separate from the rest of the group in Brisbane yesterday.

The players flew out of the country from Sydney last night and face persecution in Iran after some players didn't sing during the national anthem before one of their Asian Cup matches.

More broadly, Iran's vowing to keep a key oil and gas shipping route closed as US and Israeli attacks on the country continue.

It's led to panic buying of fuel in Australia and the federal government says that's causing shortages.

Businesses in regional Australia are warning of financial ruin if they can't access fuel.

The National Party is about to choose a new leader after the shock resignation of David Littleproud.

Matt Canavan, Bridget McKenzie and Kevin Hogan are among the wide field of candidates, while sources expect former leader Michael McCormack to also nominate.

Bundaberg in Queensland's Wide Bay region has been swamped by flooding and the Burnett River's expected to peak this morning.

The local council says about 400 properties could be inundated.

More Iranian soccer players have sought asylum in Australia after dramatic scenes at Sydney's airport overnight.

It's understood two more players will stay here instead of returning to Iran, bringing the number to seven and it's understood one refused to board the flight to Kuala Lumpur at the last minute.

Border force officials were at the airport along with Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke.

The players were labelled traitors on Iranian state television after some didn't sing during the national anthem before one of their Asian Cup matches.

Meanwhile global markets are closely watching signals from the Trump Administration about when the war could end, because if it drags on its risks causing global economic chaos.

The key issue in Australia is the supply of essential goods such as diesel and fertiliser.

It's causing a political fight as the Federal Government insists fuel supplies are good and any shortages are being caused by panic buying.

But the Coalition says the government's shifting blame onto everyday Australians.

It's been a nervous night for residents in Bunderberg in Queensland's Wide Bay region who were forced to leave their homes amid a flood emergency.

The local council says hundreds of properties could be inundated.

Meanwhile flooding continues to cause havoc in the Northern Territory.

Darwin parents are being asked to pack a supply of boiled or bottled water when sending their kids to school, after flooding impacted a key dam's pump station.

There have been dramatic scenes at Sydney's airport overnight where an eleventh hour bid has seen more Iranian soccer players seek asylum in Australia.

At least seven players, two more than yesterday, will now remain here instead of returning to Iran.

And that includes one who's believed to have refused to board the flight home at the last minute.

There have been grave concerns the players will face persecution in Iran because some didn't sing the national anthem in one of their Asian Cup games.

Meanwhile the US says the latest day of strikes on Iran have been the most intense yet, but the regime insists it won't yield.

Stock markets are confident the war will be resolved in the near term, before disruptions to global energy cause economic carnage around the world.

But the Iranian government says it won't let any oil pass through the critical gulf supply route, the Strait of Hormuz, unless the strikes stop.

That's stoking concern in Australia farmers will be hit with big fuel and fertiliser price rises which could mean more expensive groceries.

Leaders in the Queensland regional city of Bundaberg estimate hundreds of properties have been impacted by the worst flooding in a decade.

Evacuations took place overnight as the Burnett River hit major flood level.

Queensland has been drenched in recent days and widespread flood warnings have been issued across the state. 

At least seven members of Iran's women's soccer team have now sought asylum in Australia due to fears they'll be persecuted if they return home.

The team had been labelled traitors by Iranian state television after players refused to sing the national anthem before one of their Asian Cup matches in Australia.

The ABC understands at least one of those seeking asylum had refused to board a flight out of Sydney at the last minute.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke was at the airport, and he says border force officials made multiple representations to the team before departing Sydney, including in private meetings.

To other developments relating to the war in the Middle East, the US and Israel are continuing to pound Iran with strikes and the Trump Administration says the latest have been the most intense.

The Iranian regime says it'll continue blocking oil shipments from the Persian Gulf if the strikes continue.

The head of the world's biggest oil producer, which is a state owned company in Saudi Arabia, is warning of catastrophic consequences if oil can't pass through the Strait of Hormuz for an extended period.

WA Premier Roger Cook is holding a meeting today with fuel industry representatives, after some towns in the state began rationing fuel.

The war's also caused major disruptions to Australians' travel plans and some are even trying to get to Europe via America due to the risk of missile strikes in the Middle East impacting flights.  

The Queensland city of Bundaberg is facing its worst flooding in more than a decade.

Evacuations took place overnight as the Burnett River hit major flood level.

Meanwhile in the NT, a boil water alert remains in place for Darwin this morning after flash flooding damaged a key dam.

It's unclear who will replace David Littleproud as Nationals leader, after his surprise decision to step down.

Senator Matt Canavan and deputy leader Kevin Hogan have announced plans to contest the leadership.

Sources have told the ABC they expect Senator Bridget McKenzie and Riverina MP Michael McCormack to also nominate.