(Transcript from SBS World News Radio)
Nations meeting over the weekend in Cairns have announced they are on track to grow the world's economy by just under two percent by 2018.
The growth target has been the centrepiece of the G20 meeting of finance ministers and central bankers.
Treasurer, Joe Hockey, is hailing the meeting a success.
Kathy Novak reports.
(Click on the audio tab above to hear the full report)
They're used to the heat here in Far North Queensland, but these protesters - say it's getting warmer.
And they want the G20 leaders to act.
"I want to protest about the lack of leadership for our governments. They're here. They're the 20 wealthiest nations in the world and they can't even get it together to do something about climate change. I really think that's a disgrace."
Climate change didn't rate a special mention in the G20's final statement.
But the US Treasury Secretary, Jack Lew, says it is an important issue.
"The G20 is also working together to address climate change. This is an economic issue and the costs of inaction are great. This meeting again demonstrated that our partners continue to stand together to address these challenges".
The bigger item on the agenda this weekend, was the target to raise global growth by two percent above current projections by 2018.
Australian Treasurer, Joe Hockey, says the group of the world's 20 wealthiest nations has made good progress toward the goal.
"The job is not done. The job is not done. But by god we've made great strides here in Cairns and in Australia. and that is very encouraging"
At the end of the meeting, Mr Hockey announced that member countries have already identified measures that should translate to 1.8 per cent further growth.
"As of today, we have committed to over 900 policy initiatives that help to make to economy more than 2 trillion dollars larger over the next four years. This represents millions of new jobs."
That got the tick of approval from International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde.
"We were very pleased to see that while not quite there this 1.8% is taking the membership of the G20 very close to the objective that he set for himself, itself a few months ago"
Ms Lagarde wants a focus on labour market reforms and infrastructure, as the G20 works on reaching the two percent target by the time leaders meet in Brisbane in November.
But as the rich nations go for growth, World Vision CEO, Tim Costello, wants them to remember those less fortunate.
This has to be inclusive growth. If it's growth that actually just transfers into profits - not jobs, not including young people and women - growth that goes to the top 1% what good is that?"
The other major topic for discussion was tackling tax evasion, and making sure companies pay their fair share.
The leaders agreed to work together to share more information.
In its final communique the G20 group also highlighted the Ebola crisis - saying it's concerned about the human cost of the epidemic, and the potentially serious impacts on growth and stability in the affected countries and wider region.
Controversially, a delegation from Russia took part in the talks, and leaders confirmed they expect President Vladimir Putin to attend the Brisbane meeting in November.
Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop told the ABC that although Australia is hosting the event, it doesn't have the right to rescind Russia's invitation.
"I've taken soundings and countries are determined to ensure the G20 remains the premier economic forum for global issues and there is a view the President Putin should turn up and face the international condemnation for its behaviour in relation to Ukraine. that is the breach of Ukraine sovereignty, the conduct of separatists backed by Russia in Ukraine and the legal annexation of Crimea."
US Treasury Secretary Lew says he hopes the situation will be different by then.
But if it isn't, he says:
"I think President putin will hear directly what he's hearing through economic sanctions and other expressions now which is that Russia's actions are unacceptable. And the goal here is to resolve the situation and for Russia to take a step to work this out on a diplomatic basis so that Ukraine can get back to the business of healing itself and growing its economy."
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