Dreamworld could be fined millions of dollars under Workplace Health and Safety laws over Thunder River Rapids tragedy
A coroner is set to deliver scathing findings over the 2016 Dreamworld disaster in which four people died, but the real punishment could be far more severe.
QLD News
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DREAMWORLD and parent company Ardent Leisure could be fined millions of dollars over the Thunder River Rapids disaster which left four people dead.
Coroner James McDougall will tomorrow hand down his findings over the 2016 tragedy, but it is likely to be far from the final chapter in the sorry saga which claimed the lives of Kate Goodchild, Luke Dorsett, Roozi Araghi and Cindy Low.
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In Queensland, coroners no longer have the authority to recommend charges, but can instead refer cases back to investigators for further consideration.
After a litany of failures were exposed during the inquest, it is expected that Mr McDougall will deliver a scathing report, which could eventually lead to multimillion-dollar fines for Dreamworld and Ardent.
Any fines would be on top of an expected $20 million bill for compensation claims paid to families of the victims, first responders and staff rocked by the tragedy.
Under Workplace Health and Safety Queensland laws, companies can be fined up to $3 million and office bearers can be fined up to $600,000 or jailed for up to five years.
Sources believe individuals are likely to be spared but expect Ardent to be firmly in the firing line.
Tough industrial manslaughter laws introduced in the wake of the tragedy cannot be applied retrospectively so will not feature in future Dreamworld investigations or rulings.
Confusion over safety standards and shutdown procedures were among several issues highlighted during the inquest, which also heard the ride had failed twice that morning before disaster struck.
Roger Singh from Shine Lawyers, who has represented compensation claims for people affected by the disaster, said Dreamworld and Ardent should brace for severe financial penalties.
“The inquest showed that this was an accident waiting to happen and I think the coroner’s findings are going to be quite scathing,” he said. “It is highly likely you will see fines levied against Dreamworld or Ardent (in the future).
“While it is certainly possible for individuals to be fined or even jailed, it is not often we see these kinds of penalties handed down.”
Dreamworld management has already pledged to enforce any coronial recommendations and has taken strides to introduce best-practice safety standards.
Ardent has also promised to keep faith with the theme park and is committed to a multimillion-dollar investment to restore public appeal and confidence.
Originally published as Dreamworld could be fined millions of dollars under Workplace Health and Safety laws over Thunder River Rapids tragedy