Prime Minister Tony Abbott has defended a decision not to ban Russian President Vladimir Putin from attending the G20 summit in Brisbane, saying: "It's not Australia's right to say yes or no to individual members of the G20."

But Queensland Premier Campbell Newman said his view that Mr Putin should not be attending the economic forum has not changed.

Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Tony Abbott during the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten also criticised the move and said the government had "gone from talking tough to trying to pretend Putin coming here isn't an issue Australians are concerned about".

Mr Abbott and Mr Newman were speaking on Sunday in Brisbane, which will host world leaders for the summit in November.