G20 afternoon update: Brisbane a ghost town, Cameron feared Bishop ‘shirtfront’ and Ross meets the Russians

Here’s your afternoon G20 update for Friday, November 14:

• PM Tony Abbott took the opportunity of a Canberra press conference with British counterpart David Cameron to rebuke Russia’s increasing displays of military firepower.

"Russia would be so much more attractive if it was aspiring to be a superpower for peace, for freedom and prosperity, if it was trying to be a superpower for ideas and for values, instead of trying to recreate the lost glories of tsarism or the old Soviet Union," he said.

Not quite the promised “shirtfront”, but stern words nonetheless.

On that note, Mr Cameron said he feared such an attack by Foreign Minister Julie Bishop.

Mr Cameron said he remembered encountering Ms Bishop at a summit in Italy last month, coming towards him from across the room.

"At the time I feared I was about to get what I now understand is called a 'shirtfronting'," he said.

The British PM received a standing ovation after his speech at Parliament House this afternoon, praising Australia as a “can-do country”.

When asked if he anticipated a jog or bike ride with Mr Abbott, Mr Cameron said appearance was everything.

"I thought that might involve wearing more lycra than is consistent with seeking re-election," he said this morning.

• Fears the Brisbane CBD would become a ghost town during the summit have been realised.

The normally-bustling streets are mostly abandoned, with strict security and a heavy police deterring punters.

Restaurants are battling for bookings and 9NEWS reporter Shane Doherty even spotted an empty sightseeing bus cruising through the city’s streets.

• Ross and the Russians: 9NEWS Finance Editor Ross Greenwood had an unusual morning, interviewed by visiting Russian journalists, keen to get our take on the supposed “shirtfront” stoush between Mr Abbott and Vladimir Putin.

They made the observation Mr Abbott was the first to act, questioning whether Mr Abbott is a “tough guy” who always behaved in this manner.

“In Russia we think what is going on? Why is Mr Abbott so aggressive?” said one Russian scribe.

• A protest calling for greater recognition of indigenous rights has descended on the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Escorted by police, the demonstrators chanted “they say justice, we say murder”, referring to the deaths of Aboriginal prisoners in custody.

The march was peaceful, with a heavy police presence escorting the protesters through Brisbane’s streets until they reached the centre.

• Over a period of three days, international delegates gathered in Brisbane for the G20 will be served an estimated 100,000 meals, including more than 30,000 pieces of fruit, 10,000 baked goods and 25,000kg of fresh produce.

"It is a challenge but it's a fun challenge and it's a challenge that's based on preparation and experience," Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre's executive chef Martin Latter said.

Go to 9news.com.au/G20 for all the latest news, tweets and live streams from the summit.