Consumer group disappointed.
While Samsung’s executives will be breathing easier, the leaders of the consumer group which lobbied hard for a coronial inquiry are feeling deflated.
According to a report by Esther Han in smh.com.au, assistant Commissioner Mark Whybro decided against the move because the number of incidents was declining and the recall response rate was “greater than usually expected”.
“A significant manufacturer recall program is in place … and the small number of fires in repaired machines – [we’re] aware of three [in NSW] – may have been caused by incorrect repair procedures by contractors,” he told Han.
However, he said that a referral to the coroner was not off the table if circumstances changed.
Meanwhile both Tarnya Allen and Di Fisher who have amassed a significant amount of data to support an inquiry, told Han that the rejection of their request was a “slap in the face”.
“There needs to be a transparent investigation into the failure of the recall and the decision prevents the chance for lessons to be learned.”
“A transparent investigation can only help future recall processes.”