LOCAL leaders are moving quickly to promote Cairns as the obvious choice to host major G20 events in 2014, insisting other regional cities cannot match what's on offer in the Far North.

All levels of government in Cairns are behind the push, hoping to clinch hosting rights for the finance ministers’ component of the summit.

Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch says no other regions outside the southeast could compete with Cairns.

"If you start heading south, Townsville doesn’t have the accommodation or the capacity in relation to international flights," Mr Entsch said. "I think the same can be said for Mackay and Rockhampton."

The annual gathering of world leaders is an economic boon for the host city, bringing huge benefits including global tourism promotion and also new infrastructure.

Visiting Townsville yesterday, Prime Minister Julia Gillard said the Commonwealth was not ready to announce which regional city would host the finance talks, which were smaller than the leaders’ summit.

"We’re going to be looking through regional Queensland – I’m not going to be in the business of ruling things in and ruling things out, but as I think you saw with the selection of Brisbane, there are some logistic and capability questions that need to be analysed properly," she said.

Cairns-based senator Jan McLucas says Cairns has been on the Prime Minister’s radar from the start to find the best host state for the 2014 summit.

"Now as a community we should put our best foot forward to make our case," Senator McLucas said.

Mayor Bob Manning has joined council officers to prepare a submission to the Federal Government detailing the benefits of Cairns as host.

"We have an international airport, quality conference facilities, co-operative industry bodies and the best natural attributes ... why wouldn’t a world leader want to come here?" Cr Manning said.

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