Families ‘failed’ plea deal for NSW wedding bus driver

Families of those killed in Australia’s worst road crash in two decades say they feel let down by the legal system after manslaughter charges were dropped against the driver of the shocking Hunter bus rollover.

The New South Wales attorney general has requested a briefing from prosecutors on the plea deal for Brett Andrew Button, who admitted lesser charges over the June 2023 crash that killed 10 people and injured dozens more.

The 59-year-old was arrested today after facing Newcastle Local Court with a crowd of supporters.

He pleaded guilty to 10 counts of dangerous driving causing death, nine of dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm and 16 of furious driving causing bodily harm.

Prosecutors moved to detain Button after he pleaded guilty, a move defense attorneys did not object to.

He was not required to plead guilty to additional charges, including careless driving causing death.

A further 25 charges of bodily harm by misconduct were dropped.

The dropping of manslaughter charges proved an emotional moment for the victims’ families, with Matt Mullen, father of dead passenger Rebecca Mullen, sobbing as his daughter’s name was read.

Sophie Wheeler, of the Hunter Crime Victims Assistance League, said the families were “devastated” by the prosecution’s decision.

“It is a very difficult day for families… the legal system has not adequately recognized the seriousness of the crimes and it will take time for families to process them,” he told AAP.

Several relatives of those killed in the crash previously told Seven News they felt disappointed and disrespected due to the prosecution’s action.

Attorney-General Michael Daley said he would ask the Director of Public Prosecutions for a full briefing on the matter when he faced questions about the plea deal in parliament.

“I was concerned… seeing reports in the media that some of the victims’ families were unhappy with the way the proceedings had been handled,” he said.

“No one in this place wants to see family members and victims upset or re-traumatized by the criminal justice system.”

Button was arrested after losing control of a bus carrying wedding guests from Wandin Valley Estate to Singleton at around 11.30pm on June 11.

He previously apologized for the incident, telling reporters outside court in March that he was “devastated by what happened” and was “truly and deeply sorry.”

The Prosecutor’s Office said it “deeply sympathizes” with the families of those who lost their lives.

“The decision to accept a guilty plea involves complex questions of fact and law,” the prosecutor said in a statement today.

“These decisions are always made after thorough and careful consideration of the evidence and in accordance with the Prosecutor’s Guidelines.”

The court heard the parties had agreed on the facts of the case, but the victims’ families had not yet seen the statement and should be able to review it before details became public.

Button has previously been accused of taking the Wine Country Dr roundabout in Greta too fast while driving in thick fog, allegedly telling some passengers to “fasten their seat belts” before the fatal crash.

The death toll of 10 was the highest in a road accident since 12 people died in a bus rollover in Brisbane in 1994.

Button returns to court on May 30 when his sentencing date will be set.