How the G20 Summit will compare to Expo 88, how the G20 will boost the profile of Brisbane city and the international leader who has inspired him more than any other.
These were among the range of G20-related issues covered by Lord Mayor Graham Quirk when he visited Griffith’s South Bank campus on Wednesday to address a series of questions sourced from the Brisbane community.
Griffith University teamed up with Quest Community Newspapers and OurSay to give Brisbane residents the chance to put their questions about the G20 to the Lord Mayor.
The four most popular questions submitted to an online forum during the past month were put to Councillor Quirk, prompting some interesting and intriguing responses from Brisbane’s first citizen.
“Expo 88 and this year’s G20 Leaders Summit are two very different events,” he said in response to the most popular question, submitted by Sarah Moran. Citing the enduring legacy of Expo 88, she asked how the G20 would contribute to the future history of Brisbane.
Sarah’s pre-recorded question was put to the Lord Mayor during a 20-minute interview as were pre-recorded questions on the absence of climate change from the G20 agenda and the potential for knock-on benefits to Brisbane businesses.
The Lord Mayor also addressed a question on world leaders, submitted by Rachael Mackie, when he revealed that former New York Mayor Rudi Giuliani was the figure who had had the greatest impact on him.
When asked by Quest Newspaper interviewer Peta Fuller about possible exchanges with world leaders at November’s G20 Summit, he said he was not sure who he would be meeting.
“The G20 is an opportunity for the city of Brisbane to become better known,” Lord Mayor Quirk said. “It is a statement that Brisbane is the capital city of the world for three days.”
He explained that Brisbane City Council was “a supporting act” in terms of the G20 and not in a strong position to influencing the G20 agenda.
Griffith University Vice Chancellor Professor Ian O’Connor said the G20 Leaders Summit offered an excellent platform for Griffith University to lead debate around related issues across the wider community.
“The university is privileged to be sponsoring a wide range of activities that contribute to the G20 agenda. We are very hopeful of bringing the significance of the G20 home to our community,” he said.
The Lord Mayor’s interview was streamed live through the OurSay website.
Thirty-five questions were submitted to the online forum with more than 500 votes.