Teresa Gambaro (Brisbane, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

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The G20 forum is a unique opportunity in its economic influence. It brings together the leaders of 20 of the largest developed and emerging economies annually to make decisions on global economic challenges, and Australia's hosting of the G20 in 2014 is a major responsibility but also a fantastic opportunity to showcase what we do and how we do it.

I am very proud of the fact that Queensland will be the destination for two of the most significant meetings of the G20 calendar: the Prime Minister, the Hon. Tony Abbott, will host the leaders summit in Brisbane in November, and the Treasurer, the Hon. Joe Hockey, will chair one of the finance ministers and central bank governors meetings in Cairns in September. My colleague the member for Leichhardt will no doubt be speaking on this particular event in great detail. Brisbane being the host city for two of the most important events of the G20 calendar is something we should be proud of. Queensland has a longstanding reputation for staging very secure and successful international events and government meetings, and it is a testament to Queensland's professionalism and demonstrates that there is strong confidence in the capacity of the city to support such large-scale events. With the global spotlight upon us, we will make the most of this opportunity by showcasing the diversity of our Sunshine State as a world-class destination to invest, to do business, to study and to visit.

The G20 is a unique and influential forum. It brings together leaders of the most influential developed and emerging economies to consider and act on global economic challenges. Its membership makes up 85 per cent of the global economy, 75 per cent of trade and two-thirds of the world's population. With more than 3,000 media and 4,000 delegates from across these major economies attending, Queensland will be in the global spotlight of international journalists and key influencers. Brisbane Marketing estimates that the G20 meeting will generate about $100 million in long-term economic benefits for Brisbane through the promotion and exposure the city will receive, and Brisbane Marketing has been charged with maximising the benefit to the city in the medium and long term. This will complement the Lord Mayor's vision of promoting Brisbane as 'Australia's new world city'. The G20 events will put Brisbane and its businesses at the centre of world events, providing important opportunities to build international networks and highlight the best of what the community has to offer.

The G20 will also be a significant funding injection into the economies of Queensland cities and a win for local hotels, venues and the rest of the tourism industry. International tourism contributed $42 billion to Australia's GDP in 2013, and the top five visiting countries were New Zealand, China, the UK, the US and Japan, all of whom will be in attendance at the G20 Leaders Summit in Brisbane. Together, people from these countries spend nearly $9 billion in Australia.

The G20 will provide opportunities for businesses in my electorate to provide goods and services. All procurement will be undertaken in accordance with the Commonwealth Procurement Rules, and tenders will be advertised through the Australian government AusTender website. I encourage businesses in my electorate to investigate subcontracting opportunities with organisations that hold contracts with the Commonwealth and to register for AusTender to be alerted to current and potential opportunities. In addition, a large number of volunteers will be required to assist with the logistics of hosting the G20 Leaders Summit in Brisbane, and they can go to the G20 website to register their interest.

There will be local impacts in hosting such a large forum, and information regarding the G20 impacts will be communicated through the G20 and the Queensland Police Service websites and social media channels. Information will also be made available through Brisbane City Council arrangements. Several community information forums will be held in Brisbane in the lead-up to the leaders summit in November 2014.

This is an absolutely incredible opportunity for Australia to focus on our priorities, particularly on our G20 economic priority, to ensure that collectively we make a commitment to implement policies that lift our GDP by more than two per cent over the trajectory. I am absolutely delighted that Brisbane will be hosting this incredible event. I have every confidence that it will be a huge success and will shape the G20 agenda for many years to come.

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