Nationals select former army colonel to contest Farrer byelection – as it happened

ASX plunges $90bn amid spike in oil prices over Middle East crisis Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast That’s all for today’s live news coverage. Before we go, let’s recap the big headlines. Australian shares plunged on Monday, wiping about $90bn from the value of the ASX, after a sharp rise in oil prices caused by the Middle East conflict sparked concerns of a breakout in global inflation. Foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, said in a post late last night that families of Australian officials have been told to leave the United Arab Emirates as war in the Middle East spreads. Meanwhile, the shadow minister for foreign affairs, Ted O’Brien, has said military requests from Gulf nations should be “duly considered” after Wong said Australia may offer support to Gulf nations facing Iranian strikes. Katherine’s mayor has warned locals to be wary of flood waters inundating the town after a crocodile was spotted on the town’s AFL oval, as residents are warned to boil their water amid the record-breaking deluge. Sydney’s M12 motorway, the “driveway” to the new Western Sydney airport, will open this Saturday, the federal and NSW governments hav