Selective quoting (with only a few words changed - eg. 'seat' for 'controls') has perhaps made it seem more emotive than it needed to be. However it is a pretty accurate story in line with the ATSB report.
Unfortunately it is only the absence of recommendations in the report that hints that there was no significant danger to passengers or aircraft. Not something that you can blame a newshound for ignoring or missing.
http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/...007022_001.pdf