Life And Society / Politics

Parliament protest: Negotiation expert pushes for mediation

17:17 pm on 14 February 2022

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Former lead crisis negotiator for the police Lance Burdett told Checkpoint the offer to keep protestors' cars off the street could be a productive move.

"When you offer something to somebody, they offer something back. And it's something that you can use. It's one that's used in many, many situations of giving something first, to show that you are in that position to talk."

Burdett said somebody from government should talk to a spokesperson, or few people, from the protest group, but away from Parliament grounds.

Doesn't have to be a front-bencher he said.

"When you move somebody away from the site. It starts to calm them down, so you meet in a neutral venue."

He said such a meeting would need an independent mediator.