Gina Rinehart is arguably one of the most controversial business magnates in Australia. She is the chairperson of Hancock Prospecting, a mineral exploration company founded by her father in 1955. Because of her involvement and ownership of the company, Rinehart is consistently one of the wealthiest people in Australia. In July 2020, her net worth was recorded at $15.6 billion (AU); however, it peaked in 2012 during the mining boom (estimated at $29 billion).

Despite her financial success, Rinehart has courted a lot of controversy throughout her career. Here are some of the most notable examples.

Sydney Mining Club comments

In 2012, Rinehart made some controversial comments about the working style of Australia’s labour force. She argued that workers in Africa were more willing to work for lower wages and that Australian workers were more entitled when it came to wages and conditions. Her comments were criticised by then-Treasurer, Wayne Swan, and then-Prime Minister, Julia Gillard.

She believes in Australian secession

Rinehart has been vocal about her belief that Australia should be split down the middle into two separate entities. Her argument is that splitting Australia down the centre will shield the two economies from economic downturns in the Northern Hemisphere.

She doesn’t believe in climate change

Rinehart has also lambasted the science surrounding climate change. As a mining magnate, it makes sense for Rinehart to be dubious of the science (from a strategic perspective). She criticised the Gillard Government’s carbon tax initiative and has outwardly supported climate change sceptics.

She has supposedly tried to control news (and her image)

In 2010, Rinehart spent a whopping $285 million on acquiring a share in Fairfax Media (around 18.6%). Media commentators were sceptical of Rinehart’s decision, believing it was a way for her to curb negative publicity on her and her company. However, her bid to have three sitting members on the Fairfax Media board and the ability to fire editors was denied.

Andrew Forrest, better known by his nickname “Twiggy” is one of the wealthiest Australians alive. He is the former CEO of Fortescue Metals Group and has amassed a fortune of close to $13 billion AU throughout his career. If you’re interested in Twiggy’s life and career, or more generally in the mining industry, then check out some of these interesting facts below.

He was the wealthiest Australian in 2008

Twiggy’s fortune has fluctuated a lot over the last 10-15 years. In 2008, his wealth skyrocketed to $9.41 billion AU, making him the wealthiest Australian according to the Financial Review Rich List. This is because the shares in Fortescue Metals hit an all-time high!

He worked as a stockbroker before entering the mining sector

After graduating from the University of Western Australian (where he studied economics and politics), Forrest worked as a stockbroker for Kirke Securities and Jacksons. In the early to mid-1990s, Forrest became the founding CEO of Anaconda Nickel, which is now known as Minara Resources.

He joined Fortescue in 2003

In 2003, Forrest joined Allied Mining and Processing and renamed it Fortescue Metals Group (FMG). Since assuming control of FMG, Twiggy has overseen the exponential growth of the company

He was not a fan of the Carbon Tax

Forrest was one of the most vocal critics of the Gillard Government’s proposed Minerals Resource Rent Tax, arguing that the bill would drive up foreign resource ownership. He explained that the tax would unfairly affect different Australian states and wouldn’t appropriately capture the big polluters, like BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto.

His philanthropy works

Forrest has contributed to a variety of charitable causes and has created his own charities. He’s donated to the Hale School (his alma mater) and has donated over $65 million towards Higher Education in Western Australia.

Rupert Murdoch is an Australian-born American medial mogul. He founded News Corp in 1980 after moving to the United States in 1969. Murdoch has been vocal about his political persuasions and opinions of political leaders, both in the United States, Australia and abroad. He remains a polarising figure in world news and media, primarily because of his perceived influence over information, politics and current events. Here are several moments that shaped the career of Keith Rupert Murdoch.

His father’s death

Murdoch’s father died in 1952 when Murdoch was barely 21. His father, also known as Keith, ran The News, a small Adelaide newspaper. Murdoch assumed control of the newspaper following his father’s death and during the 1950s and 1960s acquired several publications across Australia and New Zealand.

Moving to the United Kingdom and the States

In 1969, Murdoch expanded his enterprise, assuming ownership of News of the World and The Sun. While retaining interests in Australia and Britain, Murdoch moved to New York City with the hope of breaking into the US market. In 1985, Murdoch became a naturalised US citizen, so he could legally own television networks in the United States.

Political influence

Murdoch soon began associating with a wide range of political leaders, including Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan during the 1980s. While most were conservative politicians, his newspapers did endorse British Labour leader, Tony Blair during the 1990s.

In more recent years, Murdoch has supported Republican presidential nominees, like Mitt Romney and current-President, Donald Trump. He was also highly critical of former Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd during the global financial crisis.

Phone hacking scandal

Murdoch was under fire during the early 2010s because of a phone-hacking scandal embroiled in his company. He provided testimony before the British parliament in July 2011, along with his son.