Industrial manslaughter laws, which carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, will be introduced in Queensland following the Dreamworld ride accident that killed four people.
Safety around amusement rides will also 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.
Industrial manslaughter laws, which carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, will be introduced in Queensland following the Dreamworld ride accident that killed four people (accident scene pictured)
Cindy Low, Kate Goodchild, Luke Dorsett and Roozi Araghi were killed last October 25 when the Thunder River Rapids ride malfunctioned (memorial pictured)
The changes follow the recommendations of a best practice review, commissioned after last year’s Dreamworld Thunder River Rapids ride disaster and a fatal workplace accident at Eagle Farm racecourse last year.
Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace says the government will introduce new maintenance, operation and competency requirements for the inspection and operation of park rides, and the industrial manslaughter law.
She says the the Work Health and Safety and Other Legislation Amendment Bill seeks to implement the 58 recommendations in the Best Practice Review.
‘Under our proposed laws, 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.
‘Importantly, companies won’t be able to hide behind elaborate corporate structures to evade their responsibilities.’
She said families affected by workplace deaths could ‘take heart that individuals or companies responsible will be held to account under our laws.’
The Thunder River Rapids ride malfunctioned has been decommissioned (accident scene pictured)
Floral tributes are laid outside the Dreamworld Theme Park on the Gold Coast in October last year
‘Our harsher penalties will serve as a deterrent to employers who are tempted to cut corners when it comes to safety in the workplace.’
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.