the reason why there is so much security is because no one wants bush or anyone who promotes war to set foot in this country. Bush should stay in america with the rest of his ignorant,un educated and self obsessed population and watch the meeting on MTV.
there has been no threat of violence from any protest group yet the government have treated everyone as the next would be terrorist.when did our society become so scared of the masses? when bush came to power!

luke, sydney, australia

So much hate directed at Bush with so little cause!

You can be certain that the Bush hating "rabble" will be the same ones refusing to defend freedom of the press or speech by advocating and supporting self-censorship of Danish cartoons or printing any images of Mohammad. "Freedom for me, but not for thee" is their rally cry.

And notice Putin and the Chinaman getting a free pass despite their record of tyranny, murder, and denial of human rights.

Socialism is a form of mental disease with blinders as these lefty rabble show.

Robert Burnett, las Vegas, Nevada usa

APEC, APEC go away and take John Howard with ya,
We love visitors who come to play and don't like little Johnny in particular !

Bill, Paroo, Australia

Maybe the idea will catch on- fencing off politicians away from real people.

Colin Hailey, Tenterfield, New South Wales

The Australian government has access to thousands and thousands of remote locations across this vast continent.

If the world's leaders were prepared to sacrifice their desire for publicity and photo shoots, and if they were genuinely wished to alleviate the world's problems, the whole thing could be conducted before anyone would be aware of it. A fact which the appalling John Howard is only too well aware of.

If any world leader is harmed during this media circus, they will only have themselves to blame.

Venise Alstergren, Melbourne, VIC. AUSTRALIA

It is important that dialogue between powerful nations is allowed unfettered. Our world is facing problems such as climate change and terrorism that are eroding our safety and intergenerational wellbeing. Let the leaders of powerful nations do their job as representatives of their respective peoples. These kind of discussions mean possible cooperation on healing our planet and a chance at reducing conflict. War only represents a failure of communication - a gift we have over the animals. Do we deserve such a gift?

Max, Sydney, Australia

Bush isn't worth $300 million. These inflationary measures to protect high-profile politicians from any conceivable danger are both an unduly burden and an insult to the hard-working taxpayer. If they are so paranoid, then let them have video conferences. Would be a lot cheaper wrt traveling costs aswell.

Matt, Wuerzburg, Germany

The youths have a right to protest.! Let them at him!. It is their world that we have ruined thanks to the likes of Bush,Blair and Howard. Let the protestors tear him limb from limb. Let their action serve as a reminder should ever again these silly buggers ever declare another pre-emptive war on innocent women and children.

lydia, Brisbane, ,

As a first step in trying to combat climate change, how about they hold these meetings over video conference?

Andy, London,

The statement that "prison authorities will release inmates this weekend" makes it sound like the rapists and murderers are to be let loose on the populace. In fact, as I understand it, the inmates so released are those who do periodic detention for lesser crimes who will be excused fonly or this weekend. Your readers deserve greater accuracy in your reporting.

Frank Yourn, Brisbane, Australia

Do you not understand the purpose of quote marks Bob ?

Benzo, Nr Chelmsford,

The Australian government has access to thousands and thousands of remote locations across this vast continent.

If the world's leaders were prepared to sacrifice their desire for publicity and photo shoots, and if they were genuinely wished to alleviate the world's problems, the whole thing could be conducted before anyone would be aware of it. A fact which the appalling John Howard is only too well aware of.

If any world leader is harmed during this media circus, they will only have themselves to blame.

Venise Alstergren, Melbourne, VIC. AUSTRALIA

What hypocrisy to claim that the Australian government is seeking to "protect" Bush from a class of people termed a "rabble", while elsewhere it is admitted that it is a "security operation to guard against *violent* protests".

Does this "rabble", as you put it, not have a record of violence at all international meetings of leaders? Is it not the responsibility of ALL governments to protect society from violence?

Bob Evans, Anaheim, California