As Australia gears up for a critical election, billionaire mining tycoon Gina Rinehart is urging the country to adopt a U.S.-style conservative approach inspired by Donald Trump. But despite her high-profile endorsements and political donations, voters seem to be leaning in a different direction.
Rinehart, Australia’s wealthiest individual with a net worth estimated at $30 billion by Forbes, believes that the government is bloated and inefficient. In comments shared with Reuters, she called for major cuts to government spending, red tape, and regulatory barriers. She also voiced strong support for increased defence budgets and fossil fuel investments—ideas that closely mirror Trump-era policies in the United States.
“Australia needs to slash costs, reduce government waste, and simplify compliance and licensing,” she said. Rinehart’s company, Hancock Prospecting, is among the top donors to the opposition Liberal Party, led by Peter Dutton. Donations tripled in the last financial year, totaling A$500,000.
However, Dutton’s coalition is trailing in recent polls. Many Australians are wary of Trump’s unpredictable policies and see echoes of that same volatility in Dutton’s platform. Polls suggest that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s centre-left Labor Party is likely to retain power in the May 3 elections.
Rinehart, a vocal Trump supporter who attended his inauguration at Mar-a-Lago, said Australians should stop criticizing Trump and start learning from him. She even praised Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and proposed Australia create something similar.
Notably, Rinehart has called for Australia to withdraw from the Paris Agreement on climate change, arguing that pausing environmental commitments would give the economy a chance to recover. “Cutting fossil fuel exports means fewer jobs and less revenue,” she warned.
She’s also advocating for a massive defence budget increase, pushing for 5% of Australia’s GDP to be dedicated to national security—more than double current levels. Though Labor has pledged an extra A$50 billion for defence over the next decade, it’s far below Rinehart’s vision.
Dutton has embraced some of her ideas. He’s promised to cut 41,000 public sector jobs and boost gas and nuclear energy projects. But he’s also tried to distance himself from direct comparisons to Trump—especially as public backlash against Trump-style politics grows globally.
Last month, Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting revealed a $1.3 billion U.S. investment portfolio, with major stakes in energy, mining, and rare earth companies. Her top holdings are outperforming the S&P 500, thanks to surging demand for rare earths—essential materials for modern defence technology.
“Americans understand the value of strong leadership and national security,” Rinehart said. “They don’t want to risk their lives or money supporting allies who don’t respect or appreciate them.”
Despite her influence, the gap between Rinehart’s vision and public sentiment is clear. Australians may be tired of rising costs and bureaucratic inefficiency, but Trump-style governance may be a step too far.
