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The New South Wales attorney-general has called prosecutors for a briefing on the plea agreement of Brett Andrew Button, who admitted to lesser charges in the June 2023 crash that killed 10 people and injured dozens of others.
The 59-year-old was taken into custody on Wednesday after appearing at 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 asked for Button’s detention after he spoke, a move defense attorneys did not oppose.
He was not required to plead guilty to additional charges, including careless driving causing death.
A further 25 charges of misconduct causing bodily harm were withdrawn.
The withdrawal 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 out.
Sophie Wheeler, from the League to Help Victims of Crime, said the families were “devastated” by the prosecution’s decision.
“This is a very difficult day for the families … the legal system has failed to properly recognize the seriousness of the crimes and it will take time for the families to process,” she told AAP.
Attorney-General Michael Daly said he would ask the Director of Public Prosecutions for a full briefing on the matter when he faces questions about the plea deal in Parliament.
“I was concerned … to see reports in the media that some of the victims’ families were not happy with the way the court proceedings were conducted,” he said.
“No one in this place wants to see family members and victims disaffected or re-traumatized by the criminal justice system.”
Button was arrested after he lost control of a bus carrying wedding guests from the 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 that he was “truly and deeply sorry.”
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions declined to comment on the reason for dropping the manslaughter charges.
The court heard the parties agreed on the facts of the case, but the families of the victims have not yet seen the statement and should be able to review it before the details are made public.
Button had previously been accused of speeding on the Wine Country Drive roundabout at Greta while driving in thick fog, allegedly telling some passengers to “fasten their seat belts” before the fatal crash.
The death toll of 10 is the highest in a road accident since 12 were killed when a bus overturned in Brisbane in 1994.
Button returns to court on May 30 for a sentencing date.
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