Theme park operator Ardent Leisure was handed a $3.6 million ($2.5 million) fine over the 2016 fatal ride accident which claimed four lives.
The four riders died on the Thunder River Rapids ride at Dreamworld in Queensland after their raft flipped over.
After a damning coroner’s verdict and charges filed by Queensland’s independent Work Health and Safety Prosecutor, Aaron Guilfoyle, Dreamworld faced three separate charges, and could have been fined a maximum of $4.5 million.
The company had pleaded guilty to the charges.
The coroner’s report found the park’s safety culture was ‘rudimentary at best’ and ‘frighteningly unsophisticated.’
"The failures of the defendant were not momentary," said Prosecutor Guilfoyle.
"The failures did not occur solely on the day of the incident, they were failures well before then, which led ultimately to what transpired. This is a rare case in which a penalty close to the available maximum is appropriate."
Ardent issued a statement with another apology.
"Ardent apologises unreservedly to the family and friends of Roozi Araghi, Luke Dorsett, Kate Goodchild and Cindy Low for the past failures of Dreamworld as identified by this prosecution."
"Ardent also apologises to all those who have been so deeply impacted by this tragedy," it said.
The company says it has ‘consulted extensively with industry’ to enhance its health and safety operational standards and training, including research of other highly regulated sectors such as aviation, mining, oil and gas.
Written by Ray Montgomery, Asia Pacific editor
