Australian news and politics live: Macron confirms Trump negotiating ‘ceasefire’ despite leaving G7 early

Senior treasury officials believe a state’s bottom line will be billions of dollars worse off without reforming Australia’s largest workers’ compensation scheme.

But questions still surround changes NSW’s Labor government is scrambling to establish before the end of June as it warns of steep insurance premium increases.

A parliamentary inquiry examined the bill on Tuesday, with NSW Treasury secretary Michael Coutts-Trotter warning the liability of the compensation scheme - protecting more than 3.6 million workers - would look $2.6 billion worse over five years in the June 26 state budget without reform.

“You’ve got billions of dollars on one hand, a moral imperative but relatively limited savings on the other, and there is a continuing problem with the sustainability of both the public and private scheme,” he said.

The proposed laws would address a lack of focus on preventing mental injury, the low rate of recovery and return to work for such injuries, and stop a sharp rise in premiums, the government had argued.

Hours after Donald Trump announced he would cut his trip to the G7 Summit short to return to Washington, French President Emmanuel Macron says there is a potential ceasefire deal between Israel and Iran being negotiated.

Mr Macron called for the fighting to stop and said despite the president leaving early there was a deal being brokered behind the scenes by the US.

“If the United States can achieve a ceasefire, that’s a very good thing,” Mr Macron told reporters in Canada.

“All who have thought that by bombing from the outside you can save a country in spite of itself have always been mistaken,” Mr Macron said.

“There is indeed an offer to meet and exchange. An offer was made especially to get a ceasefire and to then kickstart broader discussions.

“We have to see now whether the sides will follow.”

US President Donald Trump has ordered the National Security Council to convene in the White House situation room as more troops are deployed in the Middle East.

As Mr Trump stood with G7 leaders for a photo, he said: “I have to be back early — for obvious reasons.”

Back in the US, Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth issued a statement confirming he had authorised “additional capabilities” to “enhance” the US defensive posture in the Middle East.

As the situation developed, claims emerged online that the US was assisting Israel with strikes in Iran, something the Pentagon says is not true.

The office of Anthony Albanese has confirmed that the Prime Minister isn’t expecting any meeting opportunities before Donald Trump departs the G7 summit in Canada.

“Given what is occurring in the Middle East this is understandable,” a spokeswoman for the PM said on Tuesday, after news broke the US president would depart early.

“As the Prime Minister said a short time ago, we are very concerned about the events in the Middle East and continue to urge all parties to prioritise dialogue and diplomacy.”

There had been questions whether the PM could still manage an introduction despite their first in-person one-on-one being canned.

However, the other scheduled leaders’ meetings will continue as planned.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers says, given the unfolding “perilous” situation in the Middle East, he isn’t surprised that Donald Trump’s meeting with Anthony Albanese has had to be cancelled.

The US president was due to meet with the PM tomorrow but will return to the US, heading for the White House situation room, to assess the unfolding Israel-Iran conflict.

“I don’t think it’s especially surprising. He wants to get back to the White House,” Mr Chalmers told Sky News on Tuesday.

“We’ll continue to engage in the usual way. I don’t think it’s surprising.”

US President Donald Trump says he “wished” he could stay another day in Canada as he prepares to return early from the G7 amid turmoil in the Middle East.

“You probably see what I see. I have to be back early,” he said in remarks at the G7 group photo in Kananaskis.

“I loved it. I think we got a lot done. (With the) UK, we signed a great deal today. I wish I could stay for tomorrow.”

PM Anthony Albanese wasn’t invited to the group photo today as Australia isn’t a core nation in the G7.

Mr Trump will attend a dinner with the group tonight in Kananaskis, while outreach leaders like Mr Albanese will gather for a meeting in Calgary, an hour and a half drive away.

Mr Albanese was due to travel to Kananaskis tomorrow to meet with Mr Trump and other leaders, after he held his previous bilaterals in Calgary.

The Coalition has called on Anthony Albanese to quickly detail a new plan to secure a face-to-face meeting with US President Donald Trump to urgently address “any unresolved issues”.

The Prime Minister was reportedly blindsided by Mr Trump’s decision to leave the G7 summit early, pulling the pin on the pair’s planned bilateral meeting on Tuesday (local time).

Opposition trade spokesman Kevin Hogan acknowledged Mr Trump’s premature departure was out of Mr Albanese’s control, but noted it had been seven months since the President was re-elected.

“We expect the Prime Minister to advocate forcefully for Australian interests – resolving tariff issues, securing our trade future, and advancing AUKUS cooperation in a way that supports jobs and strengthens our national security,” he said.

“The Prime Minister must provide assurances on what his plan is now to ensure he gets a face-to-face meeting with President Trump.”

US President Donald Trump will reportedly head to the situation room when he returns to Washington DC.

Fox News reported that Mr Trump requested the National Security Council be assembled for his return.

Mr Trump took to Truth Social to warn residents in Tehran to “immediately evacuate”.

The White House, when confirming why Mr Trump was leaving the G7 summit early, said it was due to the “Middle East”.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s highly anticipated meeting with Donald Trump has been cancelled after the US President decided to leave the G7 summit a day early because of the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

The White House announced the President’s early departure minutes after Mr Albanese spoke to media in Canada about how his preparations for the planned 20-minute meeting were going.

Both leaders are expected to attend the summit dinner later on Tuesday (Australian time).

Read the full story.

The White House has confirmed US President Donald Trump will leave the G7 summit early due to the escalating situation in the Middle East.

“President Trump had a great day at the G7, even signing a major trade deal with the United Kingdom and Prime Minister Keir Starmer,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on X.

“Much was accomplished, but because of what’s going on in the Middle East, President Trump will be leaving tonight after dinner with Heads of State.”

It comes after the US President warned everyone in Tehran to “immediately evacuate”.

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