Dreamworld cancels Friday opening
Dreamworld has stepped back from its plan to re-open on the weekend on advice from police.
Earlier:
Chairman Neil Balnave said psychologists advised the park's prompt reopening would be in the best interest of its workers.
"The advice we have from psychologists and a lot of people working with the staff it is was better for people to get back to work and get together with their comrades and deal with this issue, rather than they are concerned about their jobs and sitting at home in isolation and we are just adding to their issues."
At a press conference following the company's Annual General Meeting on Thursday morning, he addressed the ramifications of the tragedy where four people were killed when their ride malfunctioned on Tuesday.
The Thunder River Rapids Ride was currently closed off and would not operate again for "many months", the company confirmed.
Ardent CEO Deborah Thomas told reporters it was compulsory for all Dreamworld staff to undergo counseling.
She pushed back at questions about her pay and whether the ride which claimed the four lives was shut down before the tragedy.
"In terms of asking me how something was allowed to happen, I'm going to say that at this stage this is subject to a coronial inquiry," she told reporters in Sydney.
"In terms of my performance rights ... it's not really the time to be discussing that right now."
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Mr Balnaves defended Ms Thomas, saying any company bonuses - worth hundreds of thousands - due to her were for the previous financial year.
"It is just inappropriate to talk about," he said.
Mr Balnaves said the company would do "everything" to support the grieving families.
"The tragedy is really, really something that we all wish never obviously happened, and we will do everything to support the families," he said.
Ms Thomas echoed his remarks, saying "we are all shattered by this".
Ardent said it had reached out to the families through a Queensland police liaison officer, however a reporter who had been in contact with Karen Dorsett, mother of two of the victims, said the family was angry nobody from Ardent had contacted them directly.
Ms Thomas, told that Ms Dorsett was watching the press conference, addressed the family.
“Our hearts and thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time and I will be calling you,” she spoke directly to the grieving mother.
"I am a mother, I have a family, I take my family to Dreamworld. This could have been my family and I am completely sympathetic to what (the victims' families) must be going through."
The park was closed on Wednesday and will again be shut on Thursday before reopening for a "Memorial Day" fundraiser on Friday at 11am, with entry proceeds going to the Red Cross.
Ardent said the event would mark the "beginning of the healing process" and the entry fee of $25 would be matched by Dreamworld and donated to the charity.
"Activities will be limited to smaller rides, animal attractions, and the water park," the park said in a statement.
The popular tourist attraction will officially reopen on Saturday.
