MELBOURNE – As Australians prepare to vote this weekend, mining billionaire Gina Rinehart has stepped into the national spotlight with a strong call for Trump-style leadership, urging the country to slash government spending, invest more heavily in defence, and reassert energy security—largely through fossil fuels.
In exclusive comments to Reuters, Rinehart, Australia’s richest person with an estimated net worth of $30 billion, said Australia should stop “whining and whinging” about Donald Trump’s leadership and instead learn from it.
Backing Conservatives and Calling for Reform
Rinehart has donated heavily to the opposition Liberal Party, led by Peter Dutton, tripling her support to A$500,000 in the last financial year. While Dutton’s coalition started strong in polls early this year, his support has waned amid concerns over the global implications of Trump’s volatile diplomatic moves and trade policies.
Rinehart, however, stands firm in her admiration. She attended Trump’s inauguration celebration at Mar-a-Lago in January and has openly aligned herself with the populist conservative movement gaining ground in both Australia and the U.S.
“Australia must reduce its costs, cut government wastage, and the expense of red tape, regulations, and compliance,” Rinehart stated.
Inspired by Musk’s DOGE, Calls for Bureaucracy Cuts
Rinehart has proposed the creation of an Australian version of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and supported Dutton’s pledge to cut 41,000 non-essential public sector jobs. She claims opposition from “the Left” is rooted in self-interest and resistance to accountability.
“Certainly not those with snouts in the trough,” she added, accusing some public servants of benefitting from excessive government spending.
Dutton previously vowed to set up a Ministry of Government Efficiency but has since downplayed comparisons with Trump.
Energy and Climate: Fossil Fuels Over Renewables
Echoing Trump’s energy stance, Rinehart strongly supports natural gas and coal, opposes Australia’s continued participation in the Paris Climate Agreement, and backs Dutton’s push for nuclear energy—a clear contrast to Labor’s renewables-led energy plan.
“The biggest single government tape that needs to be on pause is the Paris Accord,” she said, arguing that cutting fossil fuel production hurts jobs and revenue.
Her company, Hancock Prospecting, recently revealed a $1.3 billion U.S. investment portfolio, heavily focused on energy, mining, and rare earths—sectors closely tied to national security and defence.
Pushing for Trump-Level Defence Spending
Rinehart is also advocating for Australia to spend 5% of GDP on defence, aligning with Trump’s push for greater self-reliance among U.S. allies. This would require a doubling of current spending, far beyond Labor’s promised A$50 billion increase over 10 years.
She criticized allies that “whine and whinge” about the U.S. while contributing little to their own defence, suggesting that Australia must do more to carry its weight in global security.
Election Timing and Political Influence
Rinehart’s push comes as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s Labor Party has gained momentum in the final days before the May 3 election. Dutton’s slide mirrors political trends seen in Canada this week, where Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney staged a comeback, fueled by public backlash against Trump-style politics.
While Rinehart holds no official government role, her influence is significant, both through political donations and public advocacy. She is frequently compared to Elon Musk, not just in wealth, but in her populist messaging and alignment with conservative movements.