G20: Tony Abbott thanks Brisbane 'for patience' ahead of leaders' summit
Prime Minister Tony Abbott has acknowledged "inconveniences" and thanked Brisbane residents for their patience ahead of the G20 leaders' summit, which begins in less than a fortnight.
In a video posted on YouTube, Mr Abbott said the summit would be the largest-ever gathering of world leaders and it was the culmination of Australia's presidency of the G20.
"It's an honour to be hosting the G20 - I know there will be inconveniences in Brisbane as the leaders gather and I thank people for their patience," he said.
"It is an important event for Australia, I'm confident that it will make a lasting difference for our country and for our world."
From November 1 until after the summit the main venue, the Brisbane Convention Centre, is a core restricted zone, giving police extraordinary powers to search and arrest members of the public.
The convention centre carpark is already closed to the public and will remain closed until November 21.
Several hotels in the Brisbane CBD hosting world leaders will also become restricted zones.
The G20 website warns of a number of lane closures in the CBD and some road closures in South Brisbane from November 10.
The closures will reduce the amount of on-street parking.
The most significant impacts will occur from the night of November 13 to the morning of November 17.
Most areas of South Bank other than the convention centre will remain open to the public.
Brisbane City Council has advised that from November 10-13 trains will run express through South Brisbane station but will still stop at South Bank station.
Bus services operating through the Brisbane CBD, or between the Brisbane CBD and the airport can expect minor disruptions and changes to bus stops.
Over the long weekend of the summit from November 14-16 (Friday November 14 is a public holiday in Brisbane), trains on the Beenleigh line will terminate at South Bank station, with no trains passing through South Brisbane station due to its closure.
It's about strengthening the global economy: Abbott
Mr Abbott said Australia's focus at the gathering would be on building a stronger world economy.
"The G20 focus will be on the fundamentals of the economy: trade, infrastructure, tax and banking," he said.
"Economic growth means more jobs, higher living standards and governments that are better able to reduce tax and fund better services.
"The countries of the G20 generate 75 per cent of all world trade and 85 per cent of the world’s gross domestic product.
"Australia has already secured an agreement that G20 countries will aim to boost their collective economic growth by 2 per cent above what is currently expected over the next five years.
"Our discussions will include the $1 trillion worldwide infrastructure gap, reducing tax avoidance by global companies, and increasing participation in the workforce.
"While a stronger economy won’t solve every problem, it will make almost every problem easier to tackle."
