G20 CQ

Excited, 3 sleeps and it will be here, well Brisbane anyway? Not sure what I’m talking about, try visiting Brisbane CBD this weekend. G20, the monumental slap in the face to Skype, shuts down Brisbane CBD this weekend. Assuming regional Queensland isn’t that excited about G20, except maybe P.M. Abbott’s one on one with President Putin, why spend millions on security, entertainment and sprucing up Brisbane to host this meeting of 20. After all it’s not like Expo 88 or the Commonwealth Games which attracted tens of thousands visitors to Brisbane and arguably had regional Queenslanders more excited 3 days out from opening. G20 is a huge coup for Brisbane, joining past host cities like Washington, London and Seoul; today’s political leaders are celebrities, the bigger the economy the bigger the celebrity status, get the top 20 (and invited guests) together in the one place and you’ve got international media attention 24 7 for 2-3 days. A contingent of 3000 media is expected to be in Brisbane this weekend, providing valuable international exposure of the city, enhancing its brand value; but what about regional Queensland, Central Queensland in particular. Does CQ, one of the major contributors to the Australian economy that gets us in the top 20, get a look in, did we seek one? A Queensland Senator was reported as having invited the King of Saudi Arabia to visit Emerald. Maybe it would be a bit much to expect a world leader to rock on up to CQ, taking a stretch limo through the Red Rooster drive through, but hopefully we did approach some of the expected 4000 delegates that will accompany their leaders and do much of the real negotiating to visit CQ while in Queensland along with the international media. Some high level Indian officials visiting the Galilee Basin or Chinese on a cattle property familiarisation would bring some international media to the region and maybe access to the locals. We could hear from the horse’s mouth, so to speak, as to their possible plans, especially in light of another free trade agreement to be signed. G20 is an opportunity for the whole state and that matter country; be interesting to hear how CQ took advantage of it.