Dreamworld’s safety chairman quits company
DREAMWORLD operator Ardent Leisure has announced the departure of long-time director Roger Davis, who was also chair of the company’s safety committee.
Mr Davis, a former Australian Wallabies back rower who is also chairman of the Bank of Queensland, had served on the company’s board for a decade.
In the wake of the 2016 tragedy, which claimed the lives of Luke Dorsett, his sister Kate Goodchild, Roozbeh Araghi and Cindy Low, Mr Davis was forced to defend his workload as he also sat on boards including Argo Investments, Aristocrat Leisure, AIG Australia and rugby’s NSW Waratahs.
In an announcement to the ASX, Ardent said Mr Davis had resigned from the Ardent boards, effective August 17.
“Mr Davis is stepping down from his position to focus on existing board commitments,” the company said.
As well as chairman of the Safety, Sustainability and Environment Committee, Mr Davis was a member of the company’s audit and risk committee.
Ardent Chairman Dr Gary Weiss said: “On behalf of my fellow directors, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Roger for his valued contribution to the business which has spanned many years. We wish Roger all the very best for his future endeavours.”
Mr Davis said: “It has been an honour to serve on the board of Ardent. I wish the board and management all the very best.”
Mr Davis’s departure follows the resignation of Dreamworld CEO Craig Davidson in July, as a coronial inquest uncovered increasingly negative evidence about the park’s safety. The inquest is scheduled to continue in October.
The announcement also followed a financial update on Monday, when Ardent cut $75 million from the value of Dreamworld.