Charges Dropped in Dreamworld Compensation Theft Case

The Director of Public Prosecutions for Western Australia has discontinued charges against a mother accused of stealing her son's compensation from the 2016 Dreamworld tragedy, ruling it was not in the public interest to proceed.

Michelle Lisa Hanson, 50, had been charged in 2020 after her son, Thomas, reported that she kept $149,000 of his $179,000 compensation award. The charges have now been dropped.

The Dreamworld Tragedy

Thomas Hanson was 16 years old when he experienced the terrifying incident at Dreamworld's Thunder River Rapids ride on October 25, 2016. A raft flipped, killing four people.

Thomas assisted in rescue efforts during the disaster. He was later awarded $179,000 in compensation for his trauma and actions.

Michelle Hanson also filed a compensation claim for being on the ride—the amount she received remains unknown.

Legal Proceedings

Hanson pleaded not guilty and was later deemed unfit to stand trial after suffering a stroke in Bali in 2022, which impaired her memory and communication abilities.

The Director of Public Prosecutions, Robert Owen, made the decision to discontinue the case. Judge Linda Petrusa expressed concern during the notice of discontinuance hearing about the vagueness of the reason, noting that an unfit accused could still face a special hearing.

Family Response

Thomas Hanson and his father, Dean Hanson, wrote to the court urging the matter to proceed. Dean Hanson said they were disappointed:

"The Act emphasises that victims should be acknowledged and heard... We do not feel by discontinuing the proposed hearing this has taken place."

They argued that the Criminal Law Mental Impairment Act was specifically designed for such cases.

Civil Resolution and Recognition

Civil proceedings against Michelle Hanson resulted in her repaying the funds.

In 2024, Thomas Hanson received the Group Bravery Citation for his actions during the 2016 Dreamworld incident.

Judge's Concerns

Judge Petrusa remarked on the public interest in the case:

"I think the community at large may have some interest in why the director has exercised the discretion that he has."