The US president speaks to students and staff at the University of Queensland as the G20 summit begins. Follow
Whats the point of the G20, anyway?
3.02pm AEST
Heres photos from Barack Obamas address to the University of Queensland where he was not backwards in coming forward on climate change despite Tony Abbotts wish that it not be a focus of the G20.
His message was blunt - we need to act, and we need to do it quickly.
Obama shakes hands with former GG Quentin Bryce, Qld Premier Newman alongside her pic.twitter.com/LZ2jmpGcyo
What a crowd pleaser - @BarackObama was practically hugging guests at #UQ after delivering his historic speech! #G20 pic.twitter.com/A9n3ljFQhC
2.55pm AEST
Barack Obama is branching out into global inequality, both social and economic. He says we should partner with poorer countries to build stronger public health systems and new treatments to save lives, not just because it is charitable but out of self interest because we are all linked.
What weve learned from the Ebola outbreak is that in this globalised world where the Pacific is like a lake, if countries are so poor that they cant afford basic public health infrastructure that threatens our health. We cannot build a moat around our countries and we shouldnt try. What we should be doing is making sure everybody has some basic public health system that allow for early warning when outbreaks of infectious disease may occur.
So thanks very much, God bless Australia, God bless America, God bless our great alliance.
2.43pm AEST
Barack Obama has singled out the Great Barrier Reef as at risk of destruction from climate change as reports emerged Queensland is lobbying the UN not to classify it as in danger.
I have not had time to go to the Great Barrier Reef and I want to come back and I want my daughters to be able to come back and I want them to be able to bring their daughters or sons to visit. And I want that there 50 years from now.
2.40pm AEST
Now president Barack Obama is speaking on climate change, something Australia did not want a focus of the G20, preferring to look towards economic reform instead.
Here in the Asia Pacific nobody has more at stake when it comes to thinking about and then acting on climate change. Here a climate that increases in temperature will mean more extreme and frequent storms, more flooding, rising seas that submerge Pacific Islands. Here in Australia it means longer droughts, more wildfires. The incredible natural glory of the Great Barrier Reef is threatened. Worldwide this past summer was the hottest on record. No nation is immune and every nation has a responsibility to do its part. And you will recall at the beginning I said the US andAustralia has a lot in common. Well one of the things we havein common is we produce a lot of carbon. Part of its this legacy of wide open spaces and the frontier mentality and this incredible abundance of resources and so historically we have not been the most energy efficient of nations. Which means weve got to step up.
Setting up a target, sends a powerful message to the world that all countries, whether you are a developed country, a developing country or somewhere in between, youve got to be able to overcome old divides, look squarely at the science and reach a strong global climate agreement next year.
2.29pm AEST
Barack Obama is talking about Americas pivot to Asia, or rebalancing of foreign policy as he calls it.
Our rebalance is not only about the United States doing more in Asia, its also about the Asia Pacific region doing more with us around the world. So Im here today to say that American leadership in the Asia Pacific will always be a fundamental focus of my foreign policy. It wont always make the headlines. It wont always be measured in the number of trips I make, although I do keep coming back. But day in and dayout, steadily and deliberately, we will continue to deepen our engagement using every element of American power - diplomacy, military, economic, development, the power of our values and our ideals.
2.21pm AEST
Barack Obama has opened his speech with some locally targeted jokes and lingo referring to Brisvegas - a nickname for Brisbane - and XXXX beer, the local beer (which locals have mixed feelings about).
He speaks about how the world is getting smaller and is less violent with dictatorships around the world giving way to democracies.
When you look at the facts, opportunities are limitless for this generation. You are living in an extraordinary time. But what is also true is that alongside this dynamism there are genuine dangers that can undermine progress. We cant look at those problems through rose-tinted glasses. North Koreas nuclear and missile programs, thats a problem. Disputes over territory, remote islands and rocky shoals that threaten to spiral into confrontation. The failure to uphold universal human rights, denying justice to citizens and denying countries their full potential. Economic inequality and extreme poverty that are a recipe for instability. And energy demands in growing cities that also hasten trends towards a changing climate.
2.10pm AEST
Australian opposition leader, Bill Shorten, had some unusually strongly worded criticism for a speech to world leaders, labelling Tony Abbotts address to the G20 leaders whingeing.
Abbott used his speech to the leaders retreat earlier in the day to say how difficult it has been to fix the budget, deregulate universities and introduce a $7 co-payment for the GP.
At best, this was weird and graceless. At worst, it was a disastrous missed opportunity for Australia. This was Tony Abbotts moment in front of the most important and influential leaders in the world and hes whingeing that Australians dont want his GP Tax. This was his opportunity to show why Australia should be considered a world leader, hes had months to prepare for this moment. Instead he boasted of taking Australia backwards on climate change action, making it harder for Australians to go to university and pricing sick people out of getting the healthcare they need.
1.56pm AEST
The wheelin and dealin behind the scenes of the G20 can be just as interesting as the official outcomes, possibly moreso. Theres a slew of side meetings going on and some serious lobbying, in particular by the Queensland government.
Apparently it does not want the Great Barrier Reef listed as in danger by the UNs cultural and heritage body and telling them so, my colleague Ben Doherty reports here.
1.33pm AEST
Guardian Australias Ben Doherty is at the University of Queensland awaiting Barack Obamas speech. He reports on waiting for Obama:
A few [Australian] political types in the UQ hall pass the time ahead of Obamas speech - Senator Ian Macfarlane and Speaker Bronwyn Bishop on the Coalition side, Labor deputy leader Tanya Plibersek, and former treasurer Wayne Swan (in his shirt-sleeves) from Labor. Tim Costello is here from World Vision too. But the overwhelming majority of the audience is students, university and high school (in uniform on a Saturday!). Its a young crowd, gripped by a sense of anticipation and of occasion. The event has the vibe of a college campus pep rally. An enormous Star Spangled Banner is balanced by an equally massive Australian flag on the other side of the stage. Music by Brooks and Dunn and Stevie Wonder (Signed, Sealed, Delivered, Im Yours), blares out from speakers. US Presidential speeches are carefully-choreographed productions. President Obamas audience awaits a performance.
Peter Hoj, VC of UQ, speaking ahead of @BarackObama 'the warm-up band before the Rolling Stones' pic.twitter.com/brT1HzIFTK
1.20pm AEST
Australian prime minister, Tony Abbott, has been attacked by Russian media and accused of being part of a western plot to blame the country for the downing of MH17, the Australian Financial Review reports:
Russias top rating news program has launched an extraordinary attack on Prime Minister Tony Abbott and hinted he is part of a cynical and deliberate western plot to blame Russia for the MH17 tragedy.
1.11pm AEST
We can reveal the seating plan at the leaders barbecue which Australian prime minister Tony Abbott is hosting at Queenslands parliament house. Russia is not within shirtfronting distance from Australia with Vladimir Putin seated between Korea and Argentina. America is sharing a table with the United Kingdom, Japan, Turkey, France, South Africa and the European Council.
Seating plan from the #G20 leaders barbecue. Russia between Argentina & Korea. Australia between Indonesia and India pic.twitter.com/gUbFqcUluO
12.58pm AEST
American president Barack Obama is scheduled to make a speech at the University of Queensland in a touch over an hour. Our man on the ground, Ben Doherty, reports lines made up mostly of students in the 31 degree heat.
Queue to see Obama stretching more than 200m. Oppressively hot, still 2 hours till he speaks pic.twitter.com/VKagVqmYHh
In case his audience forgets who's talking, 1xlectern, 1x50ft flag #neverleavehomewithoutit pic.twitter.com/dhldaPnYva
12.54pm AEST
Australian treasurer, Joe Hockey, has addressed the finance ministers at the G20 meeting saying he is optimistic the groups 2% growth target for the global economy will be achieved.
I want to emphasise that my Finance Minister colleagues and I are resolute in our determination to use all policy levers to generate growth and jobs. Today we discussed the current economic outlook. We welcome the support for global activity flowing from the Asian region and the signs of growth from, the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain and Canada. We also, of course, discussed the challenges of delivering growth, particularly in Japan and Europe.
12.48pm AEST
There are reports from Brisbane-based journalists that there have been arrests at G20 protests.
Brisbane Times reporters Natalie Bochenski and Cameron Atfield have tweeted an arrest after a bag search and two female protesters being brought into a police station.
Two young women have been brought into @QPSmedia HQ from protest. #G20Brisbane pic.twitter.com/87YhYWpEoV
We've had an arrest at Roma Street following a bag search. pic.twitter.com/St9bZ19uE7
12.33pm AEST
Buzzfeed Ozs Mark Di Stefano estimates 2,000 protesters have gathered in Brisbane for the G20 summit.
@bkjabour everything. Pick an issue and they're protesting it pic.twitter.com/K6KBfOAgpf
Protester with Anonymous mask - no bother from police at all #g20 @bkjabour pic.twitter.com/fW6B017OSp
12.28pm AEST
Australian prime minister, Tony Abbott, is addressing the leaders at the G20 summit. He emphasises that he would like the talks to be about economic reform (ie, not climate change) but says it is ultimately up to the leaders what they talk about.
Now we have heavy responsibilities, all of us, the world is looking to all of us right now to try to demonstrate to an uncertain and at times anxious world there are people who know what they are doing, that there are people who have a plan, a plan for growth and for jobs and thats our challenge, to leave this G20 meeting in 48 hours time having instilled more confidence in the people of the world that there is a better and brighter future for all of us.
Now I have to say that this has proven massively difficult. Massively difficult. Because it doesnt matter what spending program you look at, it doesnt matter how wasteful that spending program might appear,there are always some people in the community who vote, who love that program very much. So getting the Budget under control has proven extremely difficult. If I could speak candidly with you, what I have tried to do is not only get the Budget back under control but also try to bring about important economic reforms, important liberalisations at the same time.
I dont have any magic answers to the problems that we face. I think that all we can do is explain the reasons as carefully as we can and to persist for as long as we can with these reforms but the more gatherings like this that can affirm the importance of good policy, the more gatherings like this that can affirm the importance of governments not over-promising things that are unaffordable and undeliverable, then I think the easier it is for all of us to deliver good policy to the people of our countries. So I hope is what we can do over the next hour and three quarters or so, is have a very candid and very honest discussion about where we think our countries can and should go, both individually and collectively over the next few years.
12.10pm AEST
Despite Australias best efforts it seems climate change may end up being a key issue of the G20.
Guardian Australias political editor, Lenore Taylor, reports pressure from Europe and America for strong commitments at the G20 on climate change has succeeded to some extent.
11.59am AEST
Back to our man on the ground, Joshua Robertson, for what has been happening around the official leaders meetings and barbecues:
Waiting for the motorcade so we can cross the road. #G20 @bkjabour pic.twitter.com/fYDpWM2kfZ
Catering worker told by police he can't cross to South Bank to get to work, where he will feed police. #G20 @bkjabour
Falun Gong protesters, a fixture of King George Sq but especially now Xi Jingping in town #G20 @bkjabour pic.twitter.com/Y5nrqRLBLS
Qld state ministers obviously no security risk. Dep premier Jeff Seeney with a single minder for a coffee in twin square #G20 @bkjabour
11.57am AEST
UN secretary-general, Ban Ki-moon. says the international communitys response to Ebola has been panicked but there is a need to guard against the panic.
Ebola issue started seemingly as health issue. That is why the international community might be a little bit slow in tackling this Ebola issue. Now Ebola issue has developed into security, not only health, but economy and security issues. So it is nowimpacting whole spectrum of our life and that is why United Nations has taken an emergency response for the first time in the history of the United Nations, the UN has established a special mission to respond to Ebola...Now we need to mobilise massive resources in terms of financial, logistics and treatment. We need to provide all political support to them.
11.43am AEST
UN secretary-general, Ban Ki-moon, is taking questions in Brisbane after urging world leaders to act decisively on climate change.
Guardian Australias political editor, Lenore Taylor, asked:
You spoke about the green climate fund in your remarks. Would you like to see the G20 communique address that issue and its been suggested this meeting is primarily about economic growth and isnt primarily about climate change but you were calling on countries, G20 countries to take a lead. Can you explainwhy you think it is appropriate?
Its my understanding, I have been briefed by my Sherpa that they are actively discussing the issue of a climate change. Of course climate change is the defining issue of our times, therefore its only natural that G20 leaders should focus much more on this as part of making this world sustainable in three dimensions- economic, social and environmental.
11.41am AEST
Australian prime minister Tony Abbott met with Italys prime minister, Matteo Renzi, this morning ahead of the leaders retreat and official talks. He also met with Spains President Mariano Rajoy.
11.38am AEST
UN secretary-general, Ban Ki-moon, is speaking at the G20 summit and is coming out very strongly on the need to combat climate change.
The transition towards a low carbon, climate-resilient future is accelerating. I urge other leaders and major economies, especially among the G20, to come forward with contributions to sustain this momentum. The world also looks to the G20 to lead on climate finance. I urge G20 leaders to make ambitious pledges towards the capitalisation of the green climate fund, GCF and next weeks conference in Berlin, Germany.
As the latest IPCC report tells us, we must act quickly and decisively. If we want to avoid increasing the destructive outcomes but we also have the means to limit climate change and have a better future.
11.31am AEST
The new European commission president, Jean-Claude Juncker, took three questions at his press conference but refused to answer whether he should stand aside pending the investigation into Luxleaks, Patrick Wintour reports.
Juncker was prime minister of Luxemburg between 1995 and 2013 and it has emerged in the past few weeks the country has been used by a slew of multinational organisations to avoid paying tax.
11.22am AEST
American president, Barack Obama, has arrived at the leaders retreat for a barbecue hosted by Tony Abbott for the worlds leaders with no officials or staffers supposedly involved.
On the menu? It could Porterhouse steak as well as tender Warwick lamb cooked in good-quality Rathdowney olive oil, news.com.au reports.
11.08am AEST
Brisbanes newspaper the Courier-Mail is known for its interesting front pages and has lived up to its reputation during the G20. A sample from the past few days:
Russian bear & Skippy to punch on? Courier-Mail splash on Abbott's beef with Putin #G20 @bkjabour pic.twitter.com/LgFINy67tY
Thank you Courier Mail for this awesome front page - Welcome to Paradise! pic.twitter.com/SchpUQ32DE
Today's front page. #G20 #G20Brisbane pic.twitter.com/8hWnotZXvY
11.05am AEST
The leaders are currently at Queensland Parliament House for a barbecue hosted by Tony Abbott. It is meant to be a semi-informal meeting before the serious business kicks off this afternoon.
Treasurer, Joe Hockey, is due to address the media shortly where he will making a statement but not be taking any questions. Lenore Taylor tells me foreign minister, Julie Bishop, was going to do a walk through the media room at 9.30am and then take questions but called it off at 9.45am.
10.58am AEST
A quick rundown of the stories out of G20 so far:
10.43am AEST
Australia has already been seen to be out of step with other countries on climate change after America and China made a joint pledge to reduce their greenhouse gas output. Now the Guardian has revealed Barack Obama is going to pledge billions of dollars to poorer countries to fight climate change.
Suzanne Goldenberg and Lenore Taylor report:
10.36am AEST
In the lead up to the G20 leaders in the city emphasised to locals Brisbane would be very much open for business during the G20 but it seems most people have still fled the city. Our man on the ground, Joshua Robertson, reports:
Its like a ghost town, isnt it? says one city-appointed G20 volunteer.
Even the outer commercial hubs of Brisbane, like Indooroopilly 8km from the city centre, are eerily quiet today. Months of warnings from civic leaders about the inconvenient impact of security zones, motorcades and road closures seem to have taken their toll. TV reports say short term accommodation is booked out in neighbouring Toowoomba and Ipswich.
A kangaroos'eye view of Brisbane town square. Sun baked & virtually empty #G20 @bkjabour pic.twitter.com/rY5qAqLHH1
10.29am AEST
German chancellor Angela Merkel swung by Caxton Street in Brisbane last night for a drink. Caxton Street is one of the most popular strip of bars and pubs in the Queensland capital and where post-football matches commiserations and celebrations usually take place. Merkel was captured on video meeting and greeting.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel having a good time in Caxton Street. Pic: Sarah Keayes http://t.co/qmOke3vrOx pic.twitter.com/6GAFxPhQaj
10.24am AEST
My colleague Joshua Robertson is on the ground in Brisbane which has had to welcome snipers as well as world leaders. He reports:
People in Brisbane are just starting to notice the scattered rooftop snipers for G20 - but some have quietly been in place for well over a week. One high rise health care facility in the citys south welcomed their sniper as a deterrent to the imagined threat of protesters unfurling large banners from their rooftop.
10.21am AEST
We have pics of some of the arrivals this morning and last night. The poor attorney-general George Brandis got caught on the tarmac without sunscreen or a hat while waiting for Obama this morning.
10.05am AEST
Good morning and welcome to the G20 liveblog. Ill be guiding you through the days events now that most of the world leaders have touched down in (very) sunny Queensland.
Today theres going to be a leaders retreat, where the various presidents, prime ministers and heads of state can kick back with each other with no staff or officials around. Camp breaking the ice games spring to mind.
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