CCTV of a car has become crucial in the search for the missing husband of a woman found dead in bushland in the Sydney suburb of Botany last week.

The body of Zhuojun 'Sally' Li, 33, was found in bushland at Sir Joseph Banks Park in Botany on December 9 after being reported missing last month.

There has been no sign of her husband Jai-Bao 'Rex' Chen, also 33, who remains unaccounted for, and an urgent police search has resumed today.

READ MORE: Survivor Louisa still thinks about the nightmare Sydney siege every day

The NSW homicide squad have zeroed in on a vehicle captured on CCTV along Foreshore Road in Botany.

It's believed this car may have transported Li's remains to the site where she was found.

Police say the car is not registered to either Li or Chen, which may suggest a third party is involved.

"We have to keep an open mind, and when we do that we look at the possibility of a third party," Homicide Squad boss Danny Doherty said.

"Not only in the suspected murder of Sally, but we also have to look at a third party being involved in the disappearance of Rex as well."

READ MORE: Battle brewing between two of Australia's oldest pubs

This car has become the major line of inquiry being explored today as police work to locate Chen.

Police released images of the car, a Toyota Avensis, asking for information about its movements and whereabouts. 

Both Li and Chen have not been seen alive since November. 

Doherty said yesterday detectives held "grave concerns" for Chen's safety and wellbeing.

The couple were known to live in Greenacre, near Bankstown in Sydney's south-west.

"Truth be told… we're not sure whether Rex is alive or dead," Doherty said.

"It's a question mark on whether he's a person of interest or a victim, we still don't know."

Doherty said there were no reports of any domestic violence between the couple or any links to organised crime.

Police are asking anyone with information about Chen's whereabouts to contact Crime Stoppers. 

Chen is described as being of Asian appearance, 165cm to 170cm tall with a slim build, black hair and brown eyes.

A clean-up is under way in Brisbane after the city was hit by a rain bomb, while heatwave conditions in other parts of the country are set to intensify.

More than 81 millimetres of rain was dumped on Brisbane overnight, triggering flash-flooding and forcing out thousands of fans who turned up to the Third Test Cricket match between India and Australia at the Gabba.

The city's Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has warned that flooding over the summer could be as catastrophic as the record-breaking event in 2022. 

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There is a minor flooding warning is in place for Dunollie, and moderate flood warnings were issued for Barker, Lockyer and Laidley Creeks today.

The Bureau of Meteorology said rainfall overnight had flooded catchments however, no further heavy rain was expected.

"Showers and thunderstorms are possible during the next few days, however no significant rainfall is expected," the Bureau said in an update.

In the rest of the country, every state and territory except Tasmania is set to feel the warm conditions.

Some parts of the country will reach as high as 40 degrees.

NSW/ACT, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia the Northern Territory have all been issued heatwave warnings.

NSW and ACT

In New South Wales, most of the state will experience a low-intensity heatwave, while the south-west regions will cop the brunt of the heat, spanning from Broken Hill to Canberra, and Bourke to Deniliquin.

In those extreme areas, temperatures will range from the mid 30a to the mid 40s.

In Sydney, temperatures will reach a maximum of 28 degrees tomorrow, while Penrith in the city's west is set to top 35.

Victoria

Most of Victoria will face a low-intensity heatwave, with pockets of areas near the NSW border expected to experience severe heatwave, including Wangaratta, Albury–Wodonga and Mallacoota.

The state will see temperatures increase from the high 30s to mid 40s on Monday before dipping to the low to mid twenties early next week.

In Melbourne, temperatures will hit 31 degrees today and jump to 41 tomorrow.

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Queensland 

While still warm, most of Queensland's eastern coastline will be spared from the heatwave with the warning issued for the inner and upper parts of the state.

Towns surrounding Mount Isa have been told to prepare for an extreme heatwave, while Cloncurry can expect severe heatwave conditions.

Heat in the North West district are expected to persist into next week while severe heatwave conditions are expected to ease over the eastern and central parts of the state by mid next week.

Pockets of the state's east coast, including Cairns and Port Douglas, have been issued severe heatwave warnings.

Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast will not be impacted by the heatwave.

WA

Most of Western Australia will not be impacted by the heatwave today, with Broome issued with a low-intensity heatwave warning.

Perth suffered the worst of the heatwave on Thursday and Friday but a severe heat warning for yesterday was cancelled.

Those in Perth will enjoy cooler conditions today with temperatures to reach a maximum of 24 degrees.

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NT 

The Northern Territory endured severe heatwave conditions yesterday, with Timber Creek copping the brunt of the heat.

Severe heatwave conditions are sweeping Alice Springs and Darwin with hot weather expected to linger over large areas of the NT into next week.

South Australia 

Most of South Australia will face severe heatwave conditions with Adelaide set to hit 40 degrees today.

Temperatures are expected to reach the mid-thirties to mid-forties statewide.

The high temperatures have forced the cancellation a number of events across the city including the Gooldwa Christmas pageant.

Tasmania will not be impacted by the heatwave. 

When will temperatures cool down? 

Temperatures are expected to remain high across the country until at least tomorrow in every state.

The heatwave warnings across the country are issued until tomorrow, with temperatures expected to stay as high as 40 degrees until Tuesday.

A cooler southwesterly change is expected to move across the south starting from Victoria, from Tuesday.

The Bureau of Meteorology will issue updates to the heatwave warnings later today.

A cheeky rivalry has brewed between two historic Australian pubs which both claim they are the oldest continually licensed venue in Australia.

Bush Inn in Tasmania's New Norfolk and the Hope and Anchor in Hobart have been pulling pints since the early 1800s and each is adamant they're the oldest in the country.

Both pubs advertise this impressive feat online and in signage in the venues – but who is telling the truth?

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The answer is a little murky.

According to Hope and Anchor manager Tom Bawle, his pub claims this coveted title.

The Hobart pub first opened in 1807 and while it closed for a brief period in the 1980s, Bawle said the licence never expired.

"All records show that our pub has been here since 1807, with a continuous licence," Bawle told 9news.com.au.

"Even though we closed for some years, we kept that licence going.

"The licensee himself, Gunther, was afraid he might lose his license so he kept paying it."

The front of Hope and Anchor proudly displays the words "the oldest hotel establishment in Australia" and it attracts tourists and friendly locals night after night.

Bawle, who joined the legacy pub six months ago, said he has evidence of his boozer owning the title.

A newspaper clipping from the Tasmanian Hotel Review in 1975 describes Hope and Anchor as "by far the oldest not only in Tasmania but Australia, and there is little doubt about the continuity of the licence, which has run for 168 years".

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This, however, is disputed by the folks over at Bush Inn, located around 35km away from Hobart in New Norfolk.

Manager Will and licensee Belinda both say their pub wins on a technicality.

Bush Inn opened in 1815 and was officially licensed in 1825.

It's never closed, so officially can lay claim to the title, they told 9news.com.au.

"Not sure why [Hope and Anchor] claim that, we've proved time and time again their licence has expired – they've changed names, moved buildings," Will laughed.

"But that building in the pub is older than we are, there's no question about that."

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The team at Bush Inn also say Hope and Anchor applied for a new licence as recently as 2015.

Belinda told 9news.com.au the pub battle is a good excuse for locals and visitors to visit both venues.

"They are both beautiful old pubs, perhaps people should just visit both so they can be rest assured they've had a beer in the oldest pub in the country," she said.

"Although they really just need to come to the Bush for that."

The official title of Australia's continuously licensed pub remains contested.

Despite the friendly controversy, the heritage-listed pubs are both over 200 years old and have impeccable reputations among devoted locals.

Bush Inn is beloved for its steaks and selection of Tasmanian beers and wines.

Meanwhile, Hope and Anchor is well known for its seafood chowder, hot buttered rum and, famously, a pair of ghosts who haunt its hallowed rooms.

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Australia lost a large part of its innocence the day two hostages were killed during the Lindt Cafe siege 10 years ago, says survivor Louisa Hope.

Hope and her mother Robin were trapped in the cafe for 16 long hours in 2014 in a nightmare stand-off which saw Tori Johnson and Katrina Dawson die along with terrorist Man Monis.

On that day – and in the decade since the deadly December 15 attack – Australia irrevocably changed, Hope told 9news.com.au.

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"In other attacks like in Bondi [in April this year], violence is the same, but if it's terrorism, it's somehow different for all of us," Hope said.

"That in a way has to do with the fact that when you are a victim of terror, you become the state.

"The terrorist isn't interested in you as an individual, far from it.

"Their attack and their assault is on the state and for us that's the nation of Australia."

Not only were they humans who were entitled to their lives, but they were exceptional human beings. And it's heartbreaking that we have lost them.

Hope, her late mother and 16 other hostages became reluctant comrades during those long hours trapped in the cafe.

They had known each other for less than a day, but Hope said she still remembers Dawson and Johnson like old friends.

"Technically we only knew each other for 16-odd hours," Hope explained.

"The fact of the matter is, Tori and Katrina in one way or another are with me every day.

"I carry grief about them all the time.

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"Not only were they humans who were entitled to their lives, but they were exceptional human beings. And it's heartbreaking that we have lost them."

Cafe manager Johnson was shot dead by the gunman Monis.

Dawson, a lawyer, died from gunshot wounds when police stormed the Lindt cafe.

Hope also carries a permanent reminder of the ordeal on her body.

Police shrapnel from the shooting blew a crater in her foot and gives her constant nerve pain.

"It's there every day, it's a reminder," she said solemnly.

"I had a conversation just recently with one of the hostages and they said they wake up with it every morning and go to sleep with it every night. 

"I understand that."

In the decade since the siege brought Sydney and the rest of the country to a chilling standstill, Hope has used her trauma to further an important cause.

She was spellbound by the incredible treatment she received by hospital staff and decided to start the Louisa Hope Fund For Nurses.

This soon turned her into a spokesperson of sorts for the siege survivors.

"As a consequence of that, the Prince of Wales Hospital was fundraising for the fund. They asked me to come and speak, and usually people are particularly interested in the siege," she said.

"I started speaking about the siege, and then it just kind of kept snowballing."

Hope is also involved in the newly created Victims of Terrorism Australia (VOTA), which provides support for fellow terrorism victims and survivors.

It's a club that it's hard to fathom would be needed in Australia back in 2014.

"There's been far more terrorist attacks that Australians have been involved in than we even think about or remember," Hope said.

"What's surprised me since we launched VOTA is the way people who've been involved in other terrorist attacks have come out of the woodwork… just sitting quietly with their own [trauma]."

"We are all collectively part of the countering of terrorism in our whole community," she added.

"We can do that by just being our ordinary selves."

Horrifying security footage has been released highlighting an escalation of violence towards fast food and retail workers. 

The rise of assaults on staff, including at major supermarkets, has prompted the NSW State Government to intervene in the lead-up to the notoriously busy Christmas and Boxing day shopping period. 

Footage of one incident shows a person allegedly fly-kicking a worker to the ground, repeatedly punching and kicking them.

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In another incident, a young customer can be seen hurling a metal scooter at a staff member's head.

Several videos of incidents released show female workers being punched.

Footage of another occasion shows a customer pulling a knife on staff after being told to leave the store. 

The union for workers in retail, fast food and warehouses says abuse like this has become all too common – especially in the lead up to Christmas.  

"There's never any excuse for this kind of behaviour," SDA secretary Bernie Smith said.

"It's just off the scale."

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Of 4600 workers surveyed in the retail and fast food industries, at least 3496 workers experienced regular verbal abuse, and 800 people experienced physical abuse.

"Cost of living's hard or there's items missing or lines are long, but don't you reckon the retail worker at the end of the checkout wishes they had extra people to help them?" Smith said.

As a result, the State Government has introduced tougher penalties for assaults against retail workers.

"We take a zero-tolerance approach to anyone who is aggressive or assaults retail workers," Work Health and Safety Minister Sophie Cotsis said.

These penalties can now mean a maximum of 4 years imprisonment for assaulting, intimidating or throwing anything at a retail worker.

If grievous bodily harm is inflicted, a maximum penalty of 11 years jail can be expected. 

"We've seen 100 people charged so far, 44 people have been convicted and there's 13 people spending Christmas behind bars this year because they abused or assaulted a retail worker," Bernie Smith said.

Woolworths is among retailers that are now raising awareness of the growing issue, rolling out anti-violence posters in stores from next week. 

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Some of these toys might well be kicking around in a box in your attic. Depending on how good their condition is, the could be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Emergency services were called to the scene about 7.50pm

Extraordinary vision has captured the moment a woman was swallowed by an electrical manhole on a busy Gold Coast footpath after an underground explosion yesterday afternoon.

The first of several blasts caused the manhole on Cavill Avenue in Surfers Paradise to blow open as the woman walked into its path yesterday evening, temporarily trapping her.

The woman, aged in her 20s, miraculously escaped with minor injuries just moments before a second fireball blast erupted from below ground.

Police declared an emergency around Cavill Avenue, Elkhorn Avenue, The Esplanade and Surfers Paradise Boulevard about 6.15pm (7.15pm AEDT) yesterday.

The explosion sent tourists and locals on the busy tourist strip running for their lives.

"I looked at my kids and said 'just run! Let's go to Dad'," witness Antonietta Bergamin said.

"My heart was beating so much, I was petrified."

Laurie Tomlinson said he was working nearby when he heard the first explosion go off and, along with another man, rushed over to help the injured woman.

"As we lay her down, the second one goes off in my ear, everyone scatters," he told 9news.com.au.

"Eventually I go back to work and then 30 to 45 minutes later, the second two go off and yeah, that's when we all evacuated."

An exclusion zone was put in place and anyone within the area was asked to remain indoors until further notice.

The declaration was revoked about an hour and a half later but police said reduced road closures remained, along with limited pedestrian access on Cavill Avenue and Orchid Avenue.

Energex is investigating the cause of the electrical fault, which at this stage remains a mystery.

Police don't believe there is a risk to the community anymore, but admit it's not something they've ever seen.

"I've asked a few of the long-termers and they haven't heard of anything like this," Queensland Police superintendent Peter Miles said.

"It could have easily turned into a catastrophic event but thankfully it didn't."

Olympic swimming legend Dawn Fraser has been rushed to hospital after a serious fall at her Queensland home.

Her family told 9News they thought they were going to lose the 87-year-old.

She was rushed to hospital and admitted to intensive care after falling at her Noosa house on Wednesday, breaking four ribs and a hip.

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Fraser has since been taken out of intensive care and is on the road to recovery, her daughter has told 9News.

Swimming Australia CEO Rob Woodhouse said the family had told him Fraser was stable in hospital.

"Dawn is an Australian living treasure – an icon of our sport – and we wish her a speedy, healthy and fully recovery," he said in a statement.

Fraser won eight Olympic medals, six British Empire and Commonwealth gold medals and set 23 individual world records and 12 as part of a team.

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She might be in her 80s but she is still mentoring up-and-coming young swimmers.

A few months ago she was poolside cheering on the Olympic swimming stars before they headed to Paris.

Powerful booms have been heard from the west to the south.