What World Leaders Should Discuss at Brisbane’s G20 Summit · Global Voices
Kevin Rennie

G20 Summit in Brisbane Australia. Flickr photo from GovernmentZA (CC License)
The G20 summit on 15- 6 November 2014 has done what terrorism has never managed to do – shutdown the centre of an Australian city, namely Brisbane. Just the arrival of Barack Obama has been a showstopper.
On Friday, Facebook user Peter Black indicated why:
South Bank Brisbane G20 – Courtesy Peter Black Facebook
On my walk home from South Bank this afternoon, I got stopped by a police officer by the name of Chenin Newson on the river walk in front of the Stamford Plaza. He wanted to know why I had taken this photo of the Stamford Plaza a few minutes earlier. He also wanted to know what I was doing in the area. I explained that I lived in New Farm and had been walking around all afternoon observing the G20. He asked for my name and identification, both of which I happily provided. He took down my name, license number, address and phone number. He explained that under the G20 (Safety and Security) Act the police were required to be extra vigilant around restricted areas. I said I understood but that there was also nothing in the Act that made it an offence for me to take photos. He agreed. He then asked me what I did. I said I was lecturer in law at QUT. He thanked me for my time and understanding, and wished me a good afternoon.
Discussion about the gathering of world leaders has been more about what might not be talked about than the actual agenda. The G20 is primarily an economic forum. Climate minimalist Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has tried hard to keep off climate change.
The Macrobusiness blog sees the lighter side by pointing out the elephant outside the room:
More on the ironic G20 weather forecast. If it reaches the forecast 39C it will break the November record by more than 4 degrees
Russian President Vladimir Putin and others embroiled in the Ukraine crisis won’t be trying to solve their disagreements. The presence of Russian warships in the South Pacific has fed the melodrama surrounding his strained relationship with Tony Abbott:
Amid row over Russia's role in Ukraine conflict, Moscow sends warships to lurk off Australia's coast during Pu… http://t.co/ojncGdiqEJ
— Elexonic (@Elexonic) November 14, 2014
For those with time, a visit to Twitter hashtag #shirtfront will reveal more on this testosterone-fed duel.
You can choose from several popular hashtags on Twitter. Much more parochial are the old but affectionate #Brissie and the trendy #Brisvegas. #G20Brisbane has been trending but has a global input as does #G20.
The Ebola crisis is another issue that many want debated. Nurses broadened it to include health funding in general:
Ebola suited #G20 nurses chant demand 4 public healthcare funding http://t.co/4vxDLp5gdw @anmfbetterhands #L20summit pic.twitter.com/EioZNGQiRe
— Andrew Casey (@AndrewSCasey) November 15, 2014
There are the usual side events and protests marches. One discussion point concerns the legality of wearing Anonymous style masks under special G20 legislation:
Anonymous may wear Burqas to circumvent mask ban at fascist #G20 in Brisbane #auspol http://t.co/PeaGURivlA
— Nixon is a Crook (@occbaystreet) November 9, 2014
Watch this space for more on the developing story as the official part of proceedings begin.