2016: Channel 9 news report on the horrific accident at Dreamworld.
A Tasmanian radio host has been suspended after making a shocking joke about the Dreamworld tragedy on air yesterday morning.
Anna Dare, who co-hosts the 7HOFM breakfast show with former My Kitchen Rules contestant Mick Newell, inappropriately referenced the theme park incident in which four people were killed during a Secret Sound segment.
"I really don't like it," Dare said after hearing the sound that listeners had to guess in order to win $140, "it's violent sounding".
"It's not getting stuck in a conveyor belt at a theme park is it? Too soon?"
Dare's co-host sounded shocked by the comment and simply responded with a sigh.
"That's what it sounds like to me when I first heard it," Dare protested, "that's the first thing I thought of".
Dare was taken off air shortly after making the comment and has been suspended by 7HOFM and its parent company, Grant Broadcasters.
"The announcer's remark demonstrated a serious lapse in judgement and we sincerely apologise to our listeners, the broader community and everyone affected by this week's terrible tragedy," the CEO of Grant Broadcasters, Grant Cameron, said in a statement.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those who lost their lives."
Mick Newell and Anna Dare in the studio together. Photo / Luke Bowden, News Corp Australia
Dare will undergo counseling and training as a result of the incident and a decision will be made at a later date about when she might return to the airwaves.
"This was a dreadful mistake and the announcer is devastated at such a lapse," Cameron said, "as employers, we must also consider her well-being".
"We have dealt with this unfortunate incident as swiftly as possible and will use it to further improve our standards and the training of our on-air staff."
All references to the Mick and Anna show have been removed from the station's website.
Mick Newell has been hosting the 7HOFM breakfast show for more than three years but was only joined by Anna Dare in January this year.
Last month Dare told The Mercury that hosting the breakfast show is her "dream job".
"We moved from the Gold Coast to Hobart specifically so I could take this job and I haven't regretted it for a minute," she said.
Speaking about their on air partnership, Newell said they "plan nothing" before each show.
"We don't script anything, we just try to come in with fresh heads and a few stories up our sleeves and jump in - and it works," he said to The Mercury.
