Coroner & Legal
Kidnap inquiry hears of disastrous delay
The Senate inquiry into the kidnapping of Australian citizens overseas heard evidence last night that Bundaberg photo-journalist Nigel Brennan and his Canadian associate Amanda Lindhout would have been saved a year in captivity in Somalia had private contract negotiators been brought in early, Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown said today.
“The dilemma is obvious. The government cannot offer a ransom payment. Private contractors have long expertise in how much or little to pay. In the UK, relatives of kidnap victims get early advice to contact private sector contractors,” Senator Brown said in Canberra.
“Out of the Brennan affair I hope Australia will adopt a similar process so kidnap victims and their families in future may be spared months of unnecessary agony.”