Australia's Dreamworld is being accused of ignoring years of problems with a ride that fatally malfunctioned.

A coroner's inquest is underway into the death of New Zealander Cindy Low and three others on the Thunder River Rapids ride in October 2016.

Low's 10-year-old son and another child were thrown from the ride but survived.

Correspondent Donna Demaio told Kate Hawkesby problems with the ride were flagged as far back as 2001.

"The police investigator's saying multiple safety reccomendations such as the inclusion of an emergency stop button had not been implemented."

LISTEN ABOVE AS DONNA DEMAIO TALKS TO KATE HAWKESBY