Hunter Valley bus crash dad calls on DPP boss Sally Dowling to resign

A dad whose son was killed in the Hunter Valley bus crash has met with NSW Office of the DPP boss Sally Dowling SC — before calling on her to step down over the agency’s handling of the case.

A dad whose son was killed in the Hunter Valley bus crash met on Wednesday with NSW Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions boss Sally Dowling SC – before calling on her to step down over the agency’s handling of the case.

In May, driver Brett Button, 59, pleaded guilty to multiple counts of dangerous driving occasioning death over the crash that killed 10 people and injured dozens when the bus rolled while carrying wedding guests from a winery to Singleton in June 2023.

Button had initially been facing manslaughter charges before the plea deal was struck with the DPP.

Adam Bray, whose 29-year-old son Zach was killed in the incident, met with DPP lawyers and their boss, Ms Dowling, on Wednesday.

He put it to them that the DPP had been in breach of the Charter of Victims’ Rights by not properly consulting the victims’ families before dropping the manslaughter charges against Button.

Sally Dowling SC.

Matt Mullen and Adam Bray, fathers of Hunter Valley bus crash victims Bec Mullen and Zach Bray. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers

Ms Dowling denied this in the meeting, Mr Bray told The Daily Telegraph.

The Charter of Victims Rights sets out how victims are to be treated in NSW.

Mr Bray said he and other families not being consulted made him feel frustrated, arguing Ms Dowling should step down from her post.

“It made us feel let down and essentially disappointed, but I don’t take anger on board – I try to channel those emotions into positive change,” he said.

“They’re meant to talk to us prior to dropping charges.”

In a statement, the NSW DPP stressed its prosecutors had consulted families.

“The ODPP acknowledges the tragic loss of life in the Hunter Valley bus crash and appreciates that this continues to be a difficult time for the survivors and the victims’ families,” a spokeswoman said.

“A high degree of consultation took place between the ODPP and the survivor-victims and the deceased’s families regarding the charges and the prosecution process, in accordance with the Charter of Victims Rights.

“The decision whether to accept a plea of guilty requires close consideration of many factors, including the evidence in the particular case.

“The views of survivor-victims and their families are very important in every matter and are always considered.”

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