Opinion was divided both in Australia and elsewhere on whether Russian President Vladimir Putin should have been allowed to attend the G20 summit , following Russia 's response to Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 being shot down as well as pro-Russian actions in Ukraine earlier in the year . Australia 's foreign minister , Julie Bishop , approached other G20 countries about banning Putin from the meeting , and stated that this consultation found that there was not the necessary consensus to exclude him . A poll taken in July 2014 found 49 % of Australians did not think Putin should be allowed to attend . It was confirmed in September that Putin would attend , with Abbott stating that " The G20 is an international gathering that operates by consensus – it 's not Australia 's right to say yes or no to individual members of the G20 "
Malaysia Airlines Flight 17
Malaysia Airlines Flight 17
2014 G20 Brisbane summit