This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/oct/28/deborah-thomas-says-she-did-not-respond-to-dreamworld-deaths-as-well-as-i-could

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Deborah Thomas says she did not respond to Dreamworld deaths 'as well as I could' Deborah Thomas says she did not respond to Dreamworld deaths 'as well as I could'
(35 minutes later)
Deborah Thomas, the chief executive of Dreamworld’s parent company, Ardent Leisure, has acknowledged she did not respond to the tragic deaths of four people this week “as well as I could”.Deborah Thomas, the chief executive of Dreamworld’s parent company, Ardent Leisure, has acknowledged she did not respond to the tragic deaths of four people this week “as well as I could”.
Thomas gave an emotional statement to the media next to a makeshift floral memorial outside the park after a private memorial for staff on Friday, in her first visit to the Gold Coast attraction since four people were killed on Tuesday.Thomas gave an emotional statement to the media next to a makeshift floral memorial outside the park after a private memorial for staff on Friday, in her first visit to the Gold Coast attraction since four people were killed on Tuesday.
“We’ve reached out to many people involved in the tragedy and spoken to them,” she said. “And I’d like to say that if I haven’t handled it as well as I could … we thought we were doing the right thing in terms of the way that we approached it through the police, but if the families are watching, I’ve spoken to a number of them and we will look after them.”“We’ve reached out to many people involved in the tragedy and spoken to them,” she said. “And I’d like to say that if I haven’t handled it as well as I could … we thought we were doing the right thing in terms of the way that we approached it through the police, but if the families are watching, I’ve spoken to a number of them and we will look after them.”
Canberran Kate Goodchild, her brother, Luke Dorsett, his partner, Roozi Araghi, and New Zealander Cindy Low were killed when their raft on the Thunder River Rapids ride flipped, causing them to be thrown or trapped. Two children, Goodchild’s 12-year-old daughter and Low’s 10-year-old son, were on the raft and left unharmed, but were treated in hospital for shock.Canberran Kate Goodchild, her brother, Luke Dorsett, his partner, Roozi Araghi, and New Zealander Cindy Low were killed when their raft on the Thunder River Rapids ride flipped, causing them to be thrown or trapped. Two children, Goodchild’s 12-year-old daughter and Low’s 10-year-old son, were on the raft and left unharmed, but were treated in hospital for shock.
Their families have criticised both Dreamworld and police for failing to contact them.Their families have criticised both Dreamworld and police for failing to contact them.
Goodchild and Dorsett’s mother texted a reporter during a press conference at Ardent Leisure’s annual general meeting in Sydney on Thursday to dispute Thomas’s claim that the company had contacted all three families. Araghi’s brother, Simon Araghi, said his family had to resort to calling triple-0 for information and were yet to formally hear from police.Goodchild and Dorsett’s mother texted a reporter during a press conference at Ardent Leisure’s annual general meeting in Sydney on Thursday to dispute Thomas’s claim that the company had contacted all three families. Araghi’s brother, Simon Araghi, said his family had to resort to calling triple-0 for information and were yet to formally hear from police.
Thomas has batted away questions about whether she intends to accept an $843,000 bonus plan, approved by the board at Thursday’s AGM, in the wake of the tragedy.Thomas has batted away questions about whether she intends to accept an $843,000 bonus plan, approved by the board at Thursday’s AGM, in the wake of the tragedy.
On Thursday evening she announced she would donate her $167,500 cash bonus for the 2015-16 financial year to the Red Cross, which, she said, would ensure “100% is directed to support people affected by this tragic event”.On Thursday evening she announced she would donate her $167,500 cash bonus for the 2015-16 financial year to the Red Cross, which, she said, would ensure “100% is directed to support people affected by this tragic event”.
The $843,000 bonus is tied to meeting performance measures over the next four years and will be paid in cash at the two-, three-, and four-year marks.The $843,000 bonus is tied to meeting performance measures over the next four years and will be paid in cash at the two-, three-, and four-year marks.
The Ardent Leisure Group share price fell 22% this week.The Ardent Leisure Group share price fell 22% this week.
The private memorial on Friday was held in place of a planned public memorial, which was cancelled after opposition from police, who are still examining the site.The private memorial on Friday was held in place of a planned public memorial, which was cancelled after opposition from police, who are still examining the site.
It meant another embarrassing retreat for the company, which had announced plans to reopen some of its attractions to raise money for the Red Cross.It meant another embarrassing retreat for the company, which had announced plans to reopen some of its attractions to raise money for the Red Cross.
“What’s important is all our people are here,” Thomas told reporters on Friday. “We had the most wonderful ceremony and we are all here today to be part of the family, to hug each other, to provide support to each other. ““What’s important is all our people are here,” Thomas told reporters on Friday. “We had the most wonderful ceremony and we are all here today to be part of the family, to hug each other, to provide support to each other. “
She continued: “Everybody is suffering from this and saddened, and it’s not just the people who work with us, but their families as well, so I hope that this is the beginning of the healing process.”She continued: “Everybody is suffering from this and saddened, and it’s not just the people who work with us, but their families as well, so I hope that this is the beginning of the healing process.”
The company has defended its safety record after revelations that components of 13 rides were declared “not fit for service” in an inspection four years ago. The Australian Workers’ Union says it has raised concerns about safety at the park over the past 18 months.The company has defended its safety record after revelations that components of 13 rides were declared “not fit for service” in an inspection four years ago. The Australian Workers’ Union says it has raised concerns about safety at the park over the past 18 months.
“Our rides and slides are checked and tested by our experienced team before the park opens every day,” the company said on Thursday. “If it’s not tested, it doesn’t open.”“Our rides and slides are checked and tested by our experienced team before the park opens every day,” the company said on Thursday. “If it’s not tested, it doesn’t open.”
The Thunder River Rapids ride itself will not be reopened until after the coronial inquest is completed.The Thunder River Rapids ride itself will not be reopened until after the coronial inquest is completed.
In a statement on Friday, Dreamworld chief executive Craig Davidson said he was under instructions from Thomas not to reopen the theme park until all four funerals had been held.
Davidson said he would provide regular updates on its own safety audits to be conducted alongside the coronial investigation.
“No attraction in this park will reopen until internal and external safety audits are completed and peer reviewed,” he said.
Davidson also criticised “misreporting” of the Thunder River Rapids Ride was “unfair,” adding: “Dreamworld cannot comment further but request the media is respectful of the wellbeing of our staff.”
Queensland police commissioner Ian Stewart said the investigation was “growing in complexity”.
Stewart said police would do “everything in their power” to assist the victim’s families.
The police minister, Bill Byrne, said it had been “a difficult and a dreadful week for Queensland” characterised by “a series of events that have affected us all in our very hearts, in our very cores.”