Hunter Valley bus crash survivors seek reform after company fines

Survivors and families of the victims of the Hunter Valley wedding bus crash have vowed to continue their campaign for safety reforms following the sentencing of the company responsible for hiring the driver.

The company admitted to exposing the public to risks of death, serious injury, or illness due to failings occurring between November 2022 and June 2023. Specifically, the company failed to require a medical assessment, formal references, or a driving record for the driver, who had previously been stood down from another employer due to an opioid painkiller dependency.

While Judge Kirralee Perry addressed the company's failings in her judgment, family members and survivors expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome. Survivors Sharyn and Jason Junkeer, along with Matt and Leanne Mullen, described the fines as insufficient, with Mullen characterizing the penalties as a “slap on the wrist.”