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An Iranian refugee family who has spent the last eight years in detention has been released from their cramped Darwin hotel room where they've been held for more than a year.

The Golmohammadian family is one of several who were transferred from Nauru to the Northern Territory's capital last February for medical treatment and detained at a compound adjacent to the Mercure Darwin Airport Resort.

The Golmohammadians were flown to Brisbane today after being granted bridging visas.

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"Finally we are free", Reza Golmohammadian said at Darwin Airport.

"Early morning they came and said you're released, you can go."

His son Ali added: "It's been really challenging but we are really happy, finally we are reaching the end … knowing from this day on there's no officers watching us, we don't have to go back to rooms at a certain time."

There have been daily protests by the Darwin Asylum Seeker Support and Advocacy Network outside the hotel for weeks.

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The family-of-four say the release is bittersweet, leaving behind the 11 other refugees from Iran and Sri Lanka who they have formed close friendships with.

"It's really hard seeing they're still there," they told 9News.

"We hope the Australian Government get over this cruel policy sometime soon and finally let these people out."

Darwin barrister John Lawrence represents some of those still detained and says while the development is incredible news, it comes as a blow to those who remain.

"Although they're happy for the release of their comrades and countrymen, they're devastated and even more confused by this continual incarceration," he said.

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Member for Solomon Luke Gosling has written to Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton, but says he has had no response.

"I'm not sure why the minister hasn't gotten back to me as of yet, but through the actions of the release of one family I think that's a good sign."

It follows the release of dozens of medivac detainees across the country this week.

When the Golmohammadian family was asked what freedom they're most looking forward to, they said it was the simple things.

"Maybe just going on a normal picnic in the park or just having a family dinner with no security watching."

The group will spend time with friends in Brisbane before looking to reside in Canada.

The US military has released previously unseen footage of the Iranian missile attack on US and coalition forces in Iraq last year.

A drone recorded the attack as a barrage of Iranian short-range ballistic missiles carrying between 1000 to 2000 pound munitions rained down on the Al Asad Air Base on January 8, 2020.

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Iran launched the ballistic missile attack, targeting two bases in Iraq housing US forces, in retaliation for the killing of Major General Qassem Soleimani.

Iranian officials stated the attack began at 1.20am local time, the same time Mr Soleimani was killed.

"The fierce revenge by the Revolutionary Guards has begun," Iran's military said in a statement at the time.

Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan has hurriedly walked back a proposal to extend the state's border controls beyond the COVID-19 crisis, as a controversy erupted ahead of next Saturday's election.

Earlier today, as Mr McGowan cast an early ballot, he said the state's hard border controls had helped reduce drug usage in Western Australia.

Measures such as vehicle searches, airport screenings, and the G2G pass are being considered by Police Commissioner Chris Dawson to help stem the flow of drugs into the state.

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"On the border, we have staff who check for bananas and avocados, surely we can have people there checking for meth as well," Mr McGowan said.

The backlash was swift and brutal, with online comments flooding social media condemning the notion.

Opposition leader Zak Kirkup, who previously conceded the Liberal Party will not be able to make up the ground to win next week's election, quickly latched on to the popular premier's comments.

"Suggesting we are going to go further than that and treat every person entering WA as a potential meth trafficker is an immense overreach and something that I don't support," he said.

The Business Council of Australia has said restrictions have already cost the Australian economy $170 billion.

Hours after his initial comments, Mr McGowan walked his comments back.

"Obviously the G2G pass will end when the pandemic ends, but what has been effective is having police at the Eucla and Kununarra border to check for meth and heroin," he said.

Frustrated Mt Eden residents are questioning why Vector is going ahead with maintenance that will leave them without power while they try to work and teach their children from home during lockdown.Nearly 100 homes will be affected…