G20 summit: Obama ‘upside down’ but still on top

BARACK Obama delighted the happy throng by plunging in to shake hands as he departed.

“HELLO, Brisbane,’’ he said.

“Hello,’’ they shouted back, after cheering the US President to the rafters.

Barack Obama had flown 15,000 miles, visited three countries for meetings with world leaders and he admitted he had no idea what time it was. “I am completely upside down,’’ he said, addressing a packed auditorium at the University of Queensland.

The wood-panelled hall is normally used for graduation ceremonies, but today it was where Mr Obama reasserted the principles he laid down three years ago, on his last visit to Australia, in announcing the US strategic “pivot’’ to the Asia-Pacific.

Yes, he had cast an envious eye to the beach, as the Queensland capital baked in 33C heat and the great and good waited on him back at the G20 summit. He claimed bragging rights to 31 million followers on Twitter. He said someone had told him he should try a Fourex. And he joked, having visited Australia as a boy, that he was up with the local lingo.

“I learned to speak a little strine. I’m a tempted to give it a bit of a burl,’’ he said, flashing that famous grin.

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In a warm address, peppered with humour, insight and reassurances that the US remained committed to the “rebalance’’ towards the Asia-Pacific, Mr Obama said the world had never been more prosperous or less violent.

“The opportunities today are limitless for this generation,’’ he said. “You are living in an extraordinary time.’’

But he warned international stability was threatened by Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, and said the US grieved with Australia over the loss of life from the downing of MH17. North Korea remained a concern, as did the tensions in the East China Sea between China and Japan. Extreme poverty, economic inequality and climate change needed to tackled.

Mr Obama didn’t say the words. But some someone in the crowd said them for him: “Yes we can.’’

He delighted the happy throng by plunging in to shake hands as he departed.

And then it was back to business.