Koalas in training for cuddling world leaders at G20 Brisbane

AS the world’s leaders prepare for the G20 in Brisbane, some less political Australians are also rehearsing their diplomacy skills.

AS the world’s leaders prepare for the G20 in Brisbane, some less political Australians are in intensive training too.

These are Queensland’s koalas, who will be on hand to hug it out with visiting dignitaries when things get heated.

And the cuddly marsupials are taking their training seriously.

They have been rehearsing their cuddles from a young age, and are well practised in embracing people of all political persuasions.

Unlike top politicians, however, the koalas will not be overexerting themselves with a punishing G20 schedule.

“As little trainees, they don’t do any more than 10 minutes a day,” says Karen Nilsson, head koala keeper at Brisbane’s Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.

“Even as an adult they won’t be held for more than half an hour a day and then after three days they have to have a day off where they’re not held at all.”

This is to avoid interrupting the koala’s usually daily routine, which involves a lot of resting and sleeping.

And the koala sanctuary has an unusual tip for getting on the right side of the little creatures — pretend you’re a tree.

“When you’re holding a koala you stay nice and still, give them good support under their bottoms so they know they’re not going to fall, and then they’re quite happy for you to give them pats and cuddles,” says Ms Nilsson.

If only it were so easy to negotiate with the likes of Vladimir Putin and Angela Merkel, however.

Luckily, these koalas are refreshingly bipartisan, having being well trained in diplomacy and gentleness.

As old hands at schmoozing with VIPs, from Taylor Swift to John Travolta to Pope John Paul II, getting close to the world’s presidents and prime ministers won’t phase them.

The only question will be whether our leaders will be as friendly with each other.