Dreamworld tragedy review brings new law to jail rogue park operators for 20 years
In the wake of last year’s Dreamworld tragedy new industrial manslaughter laws will be introduced in Queensland that could see operators of amusement rides jailed for up to 20 years.
The law, along with new operation and competency requirements, follows a best-practice review of amusement parks commissioned after four peoople died on Dreamworld's Thunder River Rapids ride.
Queensland Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace says the Work Health and Safety and Other Legislation Amendment Bill seeks to implement the 58 recommendations in the best-practice review.
"The maximum penalty for industrial manslaughter will be 20 years' imprisonment for an individual, with a maximum fine of $10 million for a corporate offender," she said in a statement.
Four people died when a Dreamworld ride malfunctioned in 2016. Source: AAP
The review found decades-old rides used at fetes and local shows weren’t being properly tested.
It also found even rides at major tourist attractions are not being adequately checked and are being manned by people without sufficient training.
Safety around amusement rides will be tightened, including increased inspections and record keeping by operators, and possible licensing of people operating rides.
Older rides may also be closed down if they don't meet standards.
The review found that of 111 serious incidents on Australian rides between 2001 and 2016, a large number could be attributed to “inadequate training or operator error”, News Corp reports.
A fleet of emergency service vehicles outside the park. Image: AAP
CCTV recorded victims' final moments before ride flipped
Pictured: Crash test dummies used to re-enact Dreamworld tragedy
Former Dreamworld ride operator suspected 'fatal flaw'
"Importantly, companies won't be able to hide behind elaborate corporate structures to evade their responsibilities."
Cindy Low, Kate Goodchild, Luke Dorsett and Roozi Araghi were killed last October 25 when the Thunder River Rapids ride malfunctioned. The ride has been decommissioned.
On October 6, Ashley Morris, 34, and Humberto Leite, 55, were killed when a 10-tonne concrete slab fell on them in a pit at the Eagle Farm track's infield.
