The first day of the G20 Leaders’ Summit has wrapped up with climate change, Ebola and jobs all making headlines.
In talks on the sideline of the summit, US president Barack Obama made waves by pledging $US3 billion to help poor countries cope with the effects of climate change.
During his address, Mr Obama called upon Australia to “step up” its climate change policy, saying every nation has a responsibility to act on climate change.
Mr Abbott also made an address at the leaders’ retreat, where he spoke of the challenges that he has faced in regards to domestic policy.
Later, a statement was released which outlined the leaders’ continuing concerns for those affected by Ebola and praised the efforts of all involved in stopping the epidemic.
The leaders wrapped up the proceedings with a reception at Brisbane’s Gallery of Modern Art, after a walkabout along the city’s river.
Jobs and economic growth on the agenda
The day began with the much anticipated arrival of President Obama, who touched down at Amberley airbase just before 6:00am (AEST) this morning, before the leader’s retreat at Parliament House.
At the retreat the leaders enjoyed a sausage sizzle and held the first official meeting of the summit, during which jobs and economic growth emerged as the leaders’ primary concerns.
G20 members vowed to “seize the moment” and move quickly on reforms, while maintaining a clear vision and consensus.
“We need to set priorities for reform: favour labour market outsiders over insiders, future over the present (particularly on infrastructure), what works and experience over ideology,” the leaders agreed.
In his welcoming address, Mr Abbott called upon his counterparts to resist reciting their scripts and instead “speak from their hearts”.
He also used the address to relay the troubles that he has had with domestic policy since assuming leadership.
He told the leaders that while he had fulfilled his election pledges to axe the carbon tax and stop boats coming to Australia, his efforts to balance the budget were being frustrated by public opposition to his plans for a Medicare co-payment and deregulation of university fees.
“It doesn’t matter what spending program you look at, it doesn’t matter how wasteful that spending program might appear, there are always some people in the community who vote, who love that program very much,” he said.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said Mr Abbott missed the opportunity to show why Australia should be considered a world leader.
“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,” he said.
Greens leader Christine Milne also commented on the address, saying the Prime Minister “made a fool of himself”.
Obama pledges $US3 billion to climate change
Mr Abbott’s address was somewhat shown up by Mr Obama’s speech at the University of Queensland, where he formally pledged $US3 billion to climate change.
The contribution will go towards the UN Green Climate Fund to help poor countries cope with the effects of climate change and doubles what other countries have previously pledged ahead of a November 20 deadline.
It comes just a a few days after the US signed a joint agreement with China to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
The speech drew similarities between America and Australia and advised Australia to “step up” its climate policy.
“The United States and Australia have a lot in common and one of the things we have in common is we produce a lot of carbon,” Mr Obama said.
“Historically we have not been the most energy efficient of nations, which means we’ve got to step up.”
Mr Obama told the audience that every nation has a responsibility to act on climate change, including Australia.
He also spoke about the situation in Ukraine and the Ebola epidemic in West Africa.
Later G20 leaders released a statement on Ebola addressing their continuing concern for those affected and praising the efforts of all involved in stopping the epidemic.
“We are deeply concerned about the Ebola outbreak in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone and saddened by the suffering and loss of life it is inflicting,” the statement said.
“G20 members are committed to do what is necessary to ensure the international effort can extinguish the outbreak and address its medium-term economic and humanitarian costs.”
They also urged the World Bank Group (WBG) and International Monetary Fund (IMF) to continue their strong support for the affected countries, and welcomed the IMF’s initiative to make available a further $300 million to ease pressures on the affected countries.
First day concludes with GOMA reception
The leaders wrapped up the proceedings with a reception at Brisbane’s Gallery of Modern Art, after a walkabout along the cities river.
During the reception leaders and delegates mingled inside a gallery that showcased traditional Indigenous artwork and became acquainted with to a koala.
Four people were arrested during protests on Saturday within the declared G20 precinct and police say there are bracing for possible trouble on Sunday.
About 7,000 Queensland Police and Australian Federal Police monitored the peaceful protests as activists sought to capitalise on the world attention.
Police Commissioner Ian Stewart said the security operation has so far had no hiccups.
There are 26 registered G20 demonstrations scheduled to take place across the weekend and 13 took place on Saturday.