Dreamworld CEO Deborah Thomas Receives A $730k Payout Months After Tragedy

Image: ABC News

Deborah Thomas will leave Dreamworld’s parent company Ardent Leisure at the end of the month with a payout of $730,000.

The announcement came on Friday just over two years since the ex-magazine editor stepped into the role, and ahead of a coronial inquest into last October’s fatal incident on the Thunder River Rapids ride at Dreamworld.

Four people were killed when the popular Dreamworld water ride malfunctioned on October 25.

Ms Thomas will formally leave the company on July 1st, but will be paid a consultancy rate of $3000 per day for her assistance with the inquest alongside “valuable support” to new CEO and former Nine Entertainment executive Simon Kelly.

“On behalf of the Ardent board, we want to express our sincere gratitude for Deborah’s contribution as CEO and managing director, which coincided with an exceptionally busy and challenging period in the group’s history,” chairman George Venardos said in a statement.

“It is a testament to Deborah’s professionalism and character that she has agreed to remain part of the team and provide valuable support and continuity to Ardent and the various official bodies preparing for the coronial inquiry into the Dreamworld tragedy.

“The coronial inquiry is of great importance and priority to Ardent and all of the families, staff, and members of the community impacted by that tragedy, and Deborah will help ensure Ardent gives that process the full attention, focus and resources it rightly deserves.”

A timeframe for the inquest has not been set – but could be up to a year or more before it’s set to commence.