Cairns wants to host G20 summit
Business, political and community leaders have started lobbying for Cairns to be selected to host the G20 world summit in Australia in 2014.
Business Events Cairns and Great Barrier Reef director Rosie Douglas said she would discuss the bid with the relevant people as soon as possible.
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Business and community leaders say if Cairns matches the criteria then they will urge Premier Anna Bligh to choose the tropical city as its Queensland choice. The two-day event involves the leaders of the top 20 richest nations in the world with 8500 delegates and media. It was held last week in Cannes, France.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced at the weekend that Australia had been asked to host the event. She said she would consult state and territory leaders on which city will be named as host for the leaders’ gathering by June next year. Cairns-based Senator Jan McLucas said she would lobby for Cairns while in Canberra this week. "I support the opportunity to host G20. We should take every opportunity to promote our region to the world," she said. "I will follow this up in Canberra this week and will meet the Prime Minister’s office. I think we’re a good cause."
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said she would begin campaigning for her state after the final week of bidding for the Gold Coast to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games. "If the G20 is coming to Australia, then we’re going to do everything we can to get it here in Queensland," she said.
Acting Premier Andrew Fraser said Queensland would make an excellent host. "We’ll certainly put our best foot forward. The Government will have discussions with regional mayors to gauge their interest in hosting G20 events and I’d expect Cairns to feature heavily in discussions."
Mayor Val Schier said she would drive the bid. "I think it’s a fantastic idea. Cairns has delivered before. We are one of the best cities in the nation to hold conferences and summits and it would be a real coup if we can pull it off," she said.
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For this they would need to have the Cairns Convention Centre extended, which of course, is part of the building involved with the CAIRNS ENTERTAINMENT PRECINCT. However, many Cairns Councillors ie Cochrane, Blake, Bonneau, Cooper etc are AGAINST extending the Convention Centre, so....I can't see it happening.
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