Dreamworld pleads guilty to disaster charges

Dreamworld’s lawyer has told a magistrate he has been instructed to enter guilty pleas in relation to the horrific Thunder River Rapids tragedy that killed four people in 2016.

Lawyers for Dreamworld have pleaded guilty to charges over the horrific Thunder River Rapids tragedy.

Facing Southport Magistrate Court for the first time since parent company Ardent Leisure was charged with three offences by Work Health and Safety prosecutors, lawyer Bruce Hodgkinson told Magistrate Michelle Dooley he had been instructed to enter guilty pleas.

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Office of Workplace Health and Safety set to charge Ardent Leisure over 2016 tragedy

Kate Goodchild, Luke Dorsett, Roozi Araghi and Cindy Low we’re killed in the 2016 disaster.

Ardent Leisure has been charged with three offences under s.32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, for failing to comply with its health and safety duty under the Act and exposing individuals to a risk of serious injury or death.

Each charge carries a maximum penalty of a $1.5 million fine.

Ardent has already paid out millions of dollars in private settlements and compensation claims to those affected by the tragedy, including families of the victims, witnesses, first responders and Dreamworld staffers on duty at the time of the horrific tragedy.

The sentencing hearing has been set down for September 28.

Outside court, Mr Hodgkinson said the company had entered guilty pleas and would “comply with the court’s orders.”

Work Health and Safety prosecutor Aaron Guilfoyle declined to comment until after the matter is resolved in September.