ACT and NSW to join forces on 2014 G20 Summit bid

The ACT and New South Wales Governments have agreed to work collaboratively in a bid to host the high-profile G20 Leaders' Summit in 2014.

Following the recent summit in Cannes, France, leaders of the Group of 20 (G20) nations agreed that Australia will host the next leaders' summit in late 2014.

"The Prime Minister has now contacted all state and territory leaders seeking expressions of interest in hosting the world's pre-eminent forum for global economic and financial cooperation and decision-making," ACT Chief Minister Katy Gallagher said.

"Late last year I wrote to NSW Premier, Mr Barry O'Farrell, proposing that our two governments work cooperatively with the aim of Sydney hosting the major summit meeting, while Canberra plays host to a number of the significant side events.

"We believe this collaborative approach provides a compelling, unified case for the Commonwealth's consideration, putting forward Australia's largest city and its national capital as joint hosts. Our cities are well connected by road and are only 30 minutes apart by air.

"Premier O'Farrell has agreed with my suggestion and proposed that in the first instance officials from the ACT and NSW meet to discuss opportunities for a joint bid.

"I am determined to maximise every opportunity that presents itself to not only showcase our beautiful city, but to ensure we vigorously pursue the economic benefits that flow from our preeminent position as the largest city in the region," the Chief Minister said.

A recent analysis of the capacity of the ACT to host the main summit has shown that we do not currently have the capacity required for such large scale international events, for instance we have too few upscale hotels and hotel suites for high level visits.

"The study provided a comparison with the 2011 host city Cannes and the 2012 host city Los Cabos. It showed that, with total hotel room capacity of 5250, Canberra had less than half the capacity of Los Cabos and almost three thousand fewer than Cannes. An estimated 7000 to 10,000 guests are expected to attend the event," the Chief Minister said.

"However, we are well placed to host the side events that are staged in the lead up to and during the actual G20 Summit. We have demonstrated in recent times, following successful visits by the Royal Family and the President of the United States, that Canberra can still play a significant G20 hosting role.

"The G20 hosts will receive enormous benefits and Canberra would welcome the opportunity to again be showcased to the world by hosting important pre and post summit meetings and associated business meetings."

This latest collaboration with NSW follows the recent signing of the ACT-NSW Memorandum of Understanding on Regional Collaboration which established a new partnership between the two governments on economic development and service delivery.

"The ACT lies within the borders of New South Wales and is a provider of key services to surrounding NSW residents. These collaborative efforts recognise the mutual benefits and increased opportunities that emerge by pursuing a more regional approach," the Chief Minister said.