Article by Tom Rabe, courtesy of Financial Review
05.05.2025
Gina Rinehart believes the Liberal Party was chased away from supporting Trump-style politics by a left-wing media campaign and has described the election rout as devastating and emotionally exhausting.
Australia’s richest person released a lengthy statement on Monday that traversed Argentinian politics, Australian industrial relations and her choice to wear Trump-branded attire while walking the rubbish-strewn streets of New York.
Rinehart lamented the Liberals’ apprehension about embracing politics akin to US President Donald Trump’s and warned the re-elected Labor government not to let Saturday’s stunning election victory breed arrogance within the caucus.
“We may feel that given their overwhelming win and the huge admiration of the left media, that the chance arrogance may invade, and any effort to point out concerns for our country will be a waste of time,” she said.
“The left media did a very successful effort, frightening many in the Liberal Party from anything Trump and away from any Trump-like policies.
“Yes the loss was devastating for the Liberals, emotionally exhausting for many, disappointing and worrying for many, but important to not throw away truth and analysing skills, and instead learn from the loss and rebuild.”
The mining billionaire wished Prime Minister Anthony Albanese well, but urged him not to implement policies that hampered business investment in Australia.
“How attractive are Paris Accord, unreliable electricity, Nature Positive Plan, big delaying expensive government tape, big high-cost government, old IR policies that proved unsuccessful for productivity, but successful for strike disruption and unreliability, to attracting investment, to underpin our living standards?”
Rinehart attended a US election night event at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida last year. In her post, she said her choice to wear a MAGA hat while walking the streets of New York had sparked conversations with young Americans who were struggling to cope with the cost of living.
“While putting both feet into New York pre the USA November election, a known left educated, left voting, Democrat area, walking around the rubbish in streets, and more than a little concerned re safety at times, wearing my Trump hat and bag and more to attract, well, must admit I did let rotten eggs, tomatoes, slip into my mind, but hoping also to attract discussion. And discussion it did.” Rinehart said.
Last month, Rinehart called for the federal government to increase defence spending to 5 per cent of GDP and invest in an Israeli-style missile defence shield to protect the continent.