P&o Cruises Operator Hires Business Council Chief To Make Things Shipshape

The Age

Saturday January 20, 2007

HELEN WESTERMAN

UNDER pressure over revelations about the death of Sydney woman Dianne Brimble, P&O Cruises operator Carnival Australia has appointed the chief of the Business Council of Australia to restore its tarnished image.

Katie Lahey will chair an advisory council that Carnival Australia has established to oversee new safety measures following Mrs Brimble's overdose on a cruise in 2002.

In a statement, Ms Lahey said the advisory council would also work with Carnival Australia on its image. P&O Cruises' reputation as family friendly has suffered from allegations of sexual assault, drug taking and poor security emerging from the inquest into Mrs Brimble's death from a mix of alcohol and the illegal street drug fantasy. The inquest is continuing.

"I see an important part of the work of the advisory council will be to ensure P&O Cruises takes every step it can to try to ensure the circumstances of Mrs Brimble's tragic death cannot be repeated," Ms Lahey said.

Ms Lahey, the BCA's chief executive for five years, has a record of restructuring businesses. She turned the Sydney City Council's $22.5 million deficit into a $14 million profit while its chief executive in the 1990s.

A spokeswoman from a publicity firm representing Carnival Australia, Libby Moffet, refused to comment on what Ms Lahey would be paid. The cruise ship industry is worth $40 billion globally, according to figures from the industry, which claims it is Australia's fastest-growing tourism sector.

P&O Cruises carried more than 100,000 passengers last year.

© 2007 The Age

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