Barack Obama wins 1000 new fans with University of Queensland G20 speech

The US president says Asia's security must not be based on intimidation of small nations by big ones.

Barack Obama told students in Brisbane, Australia - where he is attending the G20 summit - that security in the region must depend on mutual alliances. He said there was "no question" over his commitment to Asia-Pacific allies, referring to US efforts to strengthen strategic ties with the region. The two-day G20 summit will focus on promoting economic growth. World leaders are expected to expand on plans agreed by G20 finance ministers in February to boost global growth by 2% in five years. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon also urged those attending to meet the challenges posed by Ebola, climate change and the conflict in Ukraine. Meeting on the margins of the summit, Russian President Vladimir Putin urged his French counterpart Francois Hollande to join him to defuse tensions between the two countries over Ukraine.
France has withheld the delivery of two warships to the Russian navy over its actions in Ukraine.
The Russian president also discussed "rebuilding relations" with the UK after a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister David Cameron, Mr Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
Even she seemed surprised to have made it, but she shook off the shock quickly. After all, Obama was only 30 centimetres away. Others followed suit. Two women managed to leap, jump and dash their way through close enough for the Obama-selfie. They were so excited after, they could barely speak. And the "power of the man and the message," as former deputy prime minister Wayne Swan put it following the speech, was enough to bring even the most bitter of enemies together, if even for a moment. Queensland Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk and LNP Treasurer Tim Nicholls stood together, a little in awe, both politely struggling to be the first to speak.

Mr Nicholls didn't shake his hand, "I left that to the school kids", but was very impressed with his message about America standing with Australia over MH17. Ms Palaszcuk was just "inspired" particularly by the focus on "young people's hopes". Assistant minister for the Premier Deb Frecklington, who has been everywhere this G20, got the closest. "He shook my hand and asked me my name and what I did," she said. "And he said 'that's a very long title. Does it fit on a business card?'." But it was the students who were most affected. And that, given the President directed the majority of his speech towards them, was the point.
"It was such a honour, it was unbelievable," Lily Treston said.
She and fellow Year 12  Mt St Michael's College students ("we're in the Premier's electorate") described the speech, just under a hour, as an "inspiration". "You feel as though he is reaching out to just you," Sophia Aston said. "As if he is just speaking to you specifically. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity."
Griffith University student John Hopper stood at the back once the President had left the building, contemplating. "It is a lot to take in," he said.
"As the President said, there are a lot of opportunities for us out there. It was inspiring and it has left me with a lot of things to think about over the next few years. It was something I will never forget."
Reid Barry still had stars in his eyes. He'd lost his friends, but was distracted from finding them, as he thought over the speech. "I thought it was fantastic," he said. Why? He paused. "I don't know. It was just great."
The room cleared out and photos and selfies were compared. "Ermagawd!  One student said.  "I just got a selfie with Obama!" "I can't believe I heard him speak," another said.  "Maybe that's even better."