SYDNEY, April 25 AAP - The Sydney 2000 Olympics presented a real opportunity for peaceful protests on China's involvement in Tibet, Australian Greens Senator Bob Brown said today.

Senator Brown made his comments in a statement issued from Washington, where he is attending the World Parliamentarians Convention on Tibet.

Although he did not favour banning China from competing in the games, Senator Brown said protests highlighting China's military occupation of Tibet would "deservedly take the gloss off China's anticipated record haul of medals".

He said Tibetan lobbyists were pivotal in tipping the International Olympics Committee's vote against Beijing and in favour of Sydney for the 2000 Games.

"Tibet helped win it for Sydney, I hope Sydney can help win it for Tibet," Senator Brown said.

The convention has been convened to examine ways of inducing China to enter talks with Tibet's government-in-exile about the country's future.

He told convention members earlier this week that Australian Prime Minister John Howard had connived with China to sideline concerns about human rights abuses in Tibet.

Australia withdrew support for a United Nations Human Rights Commission resolution condemning China for human rights abuses last week.

Senator Brown's call for greater pressure on China drew strong applause from the gathering.