In this Lowy Institute Analysis, G20 Studies Centre Research Fellow and Project Director Tristram Sainsbury and Research Associate Hannah Wurf argue that the G20 should be at the centre of Australia’s approach to international economic engagement in the years ahead. 

Key findings

• The G20 is a valuable, if flawed, forum. It provides political leadership on global economic matters such as international tax and financial regulation, is the best forum the world has for coordinating responses to global economic and financial crises, and can play a meaningful role in meeting the challenges of globalisation.
• Australia has a vested interest in the success of the G20. Australia can contribute to the global economic debate when it brings good ideas to the table.
• Australia should engage actively in the forum. It needs to make focused and strategic investments of ministerial time and bureaucratic resources in the G20 as part of a long-term international economic engagement strategy.