Protester tries to gain access G20 hotel

A lone protester who tried to enter a hotel seconded for the G20 finance minister's meeting in Sydney says he wants the economic body to crack down on tax havens.

Bill Johnstone, 67, holding a sign protesting the future fund and accusing it of owning 43 tax havens, on Saturday tried to gain entry to the Intercontinental hotel in Sydney at about 1130 on Saturday.

After trying to access the stairs leading to the G20 media room, he was escorted out by security.

Outside, the Mr Johnstone was briefly arrested by police.

"I have to call my wife and tell her I'll be late for the opera," the man said.

The Sydney based retiree later told reporters he was inspired to protest because one of the key agenda items of the G20 was to crack down on corporations who use tax havens.

"I don't believe you can say to corporations 'you can't have tax havens', but it's ok for us to do it.

"Sovereign funds are not of a higher moral order than an ordinary corporation." Later Mr Johnstone shook hands and shared a joke with G20 security outside the hotel.

Large protests traditionally associated with the powerhouse meeting are so far absent this year.

Across the road, at the edge of Sydney's botanic gardens, a small group of about 20 activists have gathered to protest the current unrest in the Ukraine.