Australian news and politics live: Albanese considers attending NATO summit, could meet Trump ‘within days’

The CFMEU has failed to overturn the Albanese Government’s move to force the union’s construction division into administration in the High Court.

The Federal Government intervened in August 2024, following claims of bikie and organised crime figures infiltrating the scandal-riddled union, in addition to other serious criminal activity.

Controversial leader John Setka claimed the allegations against the union were false, but said he would step down to stop the intense media coverage.

Former CFMEU officials challenged the Government’s legislation that removed the union’s leadership and placed it under the control of administrator Mark Irving KC.

The plaintiffs, sacked CFMEU officials Michael Ravbar and William Lowth, argued the law was invalid on four grounds, including that it breached their implied freedom of political communication.

The full bench of the High Court found all four arguments were unfounded.

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Foreign Minister Penny Wong has confirmed Australia will impose targeted sanctions on 60 vessels linked to Russia’s shadow fleet.

“Operating under deceptive practices, including flag-hopping, disabling tracking systems, and operating with inadequate insurance, the shadow fleet enables the illicit trade of Russian oil and other sanctioned goods,” Ms Wong said.

“These sanctions reinforce Australia’s consistent commitment to ensuring Russia, and those enabling its illegal invasion of Ukraine, face consequences.

“Alongside those of key international partners, including Canada, the United Kingdom and the European Union, these sanctions help starve the Russian war economy of oil revenue.”

Australia has imposed over 1,400 sanctions in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has flagged a trip to the NATO summit in the Netherlands next week after his meeting with US President Donald Trump was canned.

Speaking in Kananaskis in the Rocky Mountains on Wednesday, Mr Albanese said “yes, that is being considered” when asked if he would travel to the upcoming summit in The Hague on June 24-25.

It could mean the pair meet within days instead of the next likely date which would have been in September in Washington around the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York.

Mr Albanese had initially announced Defence Minister Richard Marles would represent Australia.

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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he has not been asked to send Australian defence assets to the Middle East amid escalating tension in the region.

Mr Albanese was asked if he had received a request after meeting with several world leaders at the G7 on Tuesday (local time).

“No,” he told reporters.

“In the discussions I’ve always had with our European friends…they understand our priority is where we are in the world.

“And so, ‘no’, is the clear answer to that.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has shared some photos on social media from his friendly catch-up with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

The pair discussed the continuation of work on clean energy, economic growth, security and promoting free and fair trade.

Their meeting came after Sir Keir said the UK would proceed with the AUKUS deal while standing alongside US President Donald Trump.

Earlier at the G7 summit, Mr Albanese said no relationship is more important than Australia’s ties with the UK.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese sounds more hopeful about landing a trade deal with the European Union after his meeting earlier today with its leaders.

Australia walked away from the talks in 2023 after the Europeans wouldn’t budge on geographical naming rights and access for sheep meat and beef.

Mr Albanese said Australia still took the strong position that if the deal wasn’t in our national interest, the Government wouldn’t sign up in the renewed negotiations.

“But there are two or three issues, half of which have been resolved, I think satisfactorily,” he said.

“I am hopeful that we’ll get a deal done. Importantly, both of us emphasise that at this time – it’s the substance is what’s important, but at this time, it’s also symbolically important to see an outcome of an expansion of trade, because that is something that is, you know, going through difficult times at the moment.”

One of the things Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had hoped to speak with US President Donald Trump about was the AUKUS pact after the Pentagon announced a snap review of the submarine deal.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer – as the third AUKUS partner – said yesterday the UK was proceeding with the deal and it was “a really important deal to both of us”, while standing alongside Mr Trump.

Mr Albanese was asked if he’d asked Sir Keir for any assurance the US President was in favour of AUKUS.

“I’ve seen nothing to suggest otherwise,” Mr Albanese said.

“It’s not up to me to speak on behalf of others – whether it is President Trump or Prime Minister Starmer. But Prime Minister Starmer, of course, has made public statements and the US Defence Secretary has made it clear … as well.”

Asked about the cancelled meeting with President Trump, Mr Albanese said Australia and the other countries that had also missed out on talks were “all mature about that” and the change was understandable given the serious situation in the Middle East.

“We’ll meet soon, and I’m sure that will occur. From time to time, meetings are rescheduled. That’s what happens,” he said.

Yesterday, Mr Albanese announced Defence Minister Richard Marles would represent Australia at the NATO meeting next week, which is expected to include the US.

Asked today whether he was now thinking of attending that meeting himself, Mr Albanese says, “Yes, that is being considered.”

Anthony Albanese is speaking now from Kananaskis to wrap up his visit to the G7.

While Donald Trump left before they could meet, the Prime Minister has had talks with other top US officials including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant and trade representative Jamieson Greer.

“We made the point very clearly to the American trade representative and to the treasury secretary that the FTA has delivered for both the United States and Australia for a couple of decades now,” Mr Albanese said.

“We also discussed how Australia can support the United States on critical minerals.”

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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has met with senior Trump officials after his crucial meeting with the US President fell through.

Mr Albanese met with Donald Trump’s principal economic advisor and the National Economic Council director, Kevin Hassett, US trade representative Jamieson Greer, and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

Australia’s US Ambassador Kevin Rudd also attended the meeting, and the group discussed trade, tariffs, critical minerals, and rare earths.

Following the announcement that Mr Albanese’s meeting with Mr Trump would not proceed, a government spokesperson said the cancellation was understandable “given what is occurring in the Middle East”.

​Read the full story here​.