Gina Rinehart
When North Queensland Liberal MP George Christensen got the idea of launching a new political organisation to counter what he calls “the radical Green movement”, he immediately reached out to Gina Rinehart.
Christensen sent her an email setting out his proposals to attack environmental groups (including UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation ) that he claims want to hold up mining projects in the region.
The email exchange has now leaked.
Continue reading "Mining money talks the loudest in Australian politics" »
BRW’s Rich 200 list is out for another year and Gina Rinehart, Frank Lowy and Anthony Pratt have all made the top five.
Between them they earn something like $41.09bn per annum, with Rinehart banking around $50m a day. The mind boggles.
How do you spend that kind of money? Seriously, what could you possibly do it with it all. There needs to be acut-off point for just how much money one person can make.
Continue reading "Gina Rinehart’s the least interesting thing on this list" »
Latest 2 of 122 comments
View all comments-
Richard says:
While I don’t see much point to the article (particularly as it will accomplish precisely nothing), all you boot lickers defending Gina Reinhart make me feel ill. She doesn’t need defence. How are you making this world a better place by standing up for someone like that? There are others… Read more »
-
Sam says:
well there you go. Warren Buffet actually does good things with his money. Gina buys hot dogs (presumably). And assuming your statement is correct, id bloody hope she pays more tax in a week that I will in my lifetime, as every 2 seconds shes earnt more than I did… Read more »
So Julie Bishop has a Huawei-donated iPad. Dangerous. Dangerous for her and dangerous for Australia if she ever aspires to become Foreign Minister. The iPad alone is but one of the micro details to emerge from Ms Bishop’s visit to China as a guest of the Chinese telco.
Some Liberals led by Julie Bishop together with vested mining interests questioned the Gillard Government’ accepting ASIO’s advice against letting Huawei bid for the National Broadband Network. But the bar on Huawei has wider significance because the controversy it has sparked illuminates the most vexing issue of Australian foreign policy - our relationship with China.
This foreign policy challenge was again in sharp relief at the recent Boao Forum, on the luxury resort on Hainan Island, China’s version of Hawaii (they also have their most advanced naval base there).
Continue reading "These people want our foreign policy made in China" »
Latest 2 of 157 comments
View all comments-
RGS says:
@ZSRenn so you plan to have holiday in china? with polluted air, poisoned food and water, fanatic revolution songs on TV? Well, after Huawei settles in Oz land, we might share these ‘pleasure’ with Chinese people together, while in Australia, and it might be compulsory possibly… Read more »
-
Cookie Monster says:
ZSRenn - obviously you don’t get out much for your 52 years. Call bs all you like - it’s just convenient for your argument. I’m a mix of three different Asian countries going back to my grandparents (my mother is full Chinese) and born in Australia - I don’t have… Read more »
It was at the bottom of the ocean that James Cameron felt alone, distant from humanity. But it was there that he was, perhaps, closer to us than he had ever been.
Earlier this week, the acclaimed director became the first person to solo-dive to the bottom of the Mariana Trench - one of the darkest, quietest places on the planet.
As the world applauded Cameron, billionaire Clive Palmer was holding court at a press conference in Brisbane, speaking about spooks and conspiracy theories and strange political follies. There were no submarines, blueprints or audacious concept drawings behind him. Just a man who had made enough money to say whatever he liked whenever the mood struck.
Continue reading "Billions of reasons for rich people to dream big" »
Latest 2 of 72 comments
View all comments-
jase says:
And how is that a wealthy persons problem Tom? Just because someone has money, does not automatically make them responsible for everyone else. Read more »
-
Brocman says:
I guess it’s up to Clive what he chooses to do with his tone and money. I am sure he will give the opinions of the punch due consideration. I would argue that the vast employment and distribution of money Clive’s endeavors produce do advance humanity. Read more »
Bold and The Beautiful eat your heart out. Gina Rinehart’s family saga has all the ingredients of a gripping soapie: money, power, drama, threats and fierce sibling rivalry.
It’s a fantastic combination if you like that kind of thing. Every day there’s another new twist and feisty morsel of accusation and blame.
What a pity it’s nobody else’s business.
Continue reading "Keep conflict where it belongs, in the family" »
Latest 2 of 98 comments
View all comments-
Formerly says:
Clive Palmer 9 out of 9. Trust me. Read more »
-
Eowyn says:
ICB on “Rule number two: nobody else should get involved. Ever. Even if you’re a spouse or partner of the family members.” My wife being the mother of my children, my relationship with her trumps all relationships except for her relationship with my children, even arguably her relationship with her… Read more »
In the same way that fish don’t really understand what water is, most Australians (except perhaps those who have come from dictatorships overseas) take democracy for granted.
We don’t often ask what democracy means, beyond the obligatory exercise of turning up to vote every three years. Part of Australia’s strong democracy is the civil rights that we all possess; to say what we want, to associate with who we like and own our own property.
But in another sense democracy is an ongoing conversation between all parts of society, the rulers and the ruled, the rich and the poor, in an attempt to discern what our national priorities should be. In this conversation, not all voices are equal.
Continue reading "Unions represent millions. Mining giants, only a few" »
Latest 2 of 100 comments
View all comments-
bill says:
The problem with Australian unions is they cannot spell the word ‘productivity’ . Read more »
-
frankr says:
Hey Roy, two days and no response or backup. you’re full of shit just like every rusted on leftie any comments that you post on any topic from now have as much credibilty as gillard Read more »
I can’t find one Coalition MP or fellow traveller who came to the defence of Cate Blanchett when last May she took part in a TV advertisement supporting a price on carbon.
There were plenty who shredded the internationally successful Australian actress, making the point that among those disqualified from speaking on climate change were internationally successful Australian actresses.
None of these shredders were accused by others of instigating class warfare against Blanchett, said to be worth from $53 million to $55 million. None were dismissed as being driven by envy.
Continue reading "Classy targets cop it hardest in phony class wars" »
Latest 2 of 184 comments
View all comments-
fitter says:
The hypocrite argument about Blanchett has been done to death. She was recruited because she has star power, lots of celebrities do the same thing. I’m sure the federal government could have recruited a “qualified” scientists from the CSIRO, but who would watch the ad?and they probably didnt want the… Read more »
-
Dave says:
go to sleep now morons, it will all be ok as long as you vote Liberal & Tony Abbott will make sure we once again all do exactly what we are told by the mining industry and the coal industry lobbies. They know what is best for you and your… Read more »
Wayne Swan has discovered his voice. After telling us in no uncertain terms what he really thought of Kevin Rudd the week before last. Now Swannie has set his sights on our mining magnates.
In an essay in The Monthly, and in a speech due at lunch time today to the National Press Club, the Treasurer makes the argument that democracy is under threat from vested interests - and takes aim in particular at Clive Palmer, Twiggy Forrest and Gina Rinehart.
But his argument is not just limited to those who make their millions by digging things out of the ground. Swan is worried about our middle-class society being under “mortal threat”, essentially since the “Reagan-Thatcher revolutions”.
Continue reading "Where do we stand on the rich? For or against…" »
Latest 2 of 369 comments
View all comments-
Matt C says:
How can we enjoy the fruits of labor when it is the ultimate aim of big business and the liberals to reduce wages across the board whilst increasing productivity. All you liberal lovers need to wipe the fog off your glasses and smell the rain. You’re all Tony Abbott clones,… Read more »
-
Bob Smith says:
Louise, while you have no difficulty locating the ‘divisiveness’ and ‘incivility’ in Wayne Swan mentioning that there is a problem, you seem strangely blind to the inherent ‘divisiveness’ and ‘incivility’ in a tiny group of unrepresentative ultra-rich people buying up swathes of our media in order to push their own… Read more »
A NASA astronaut probably won’t be the next person to take a small step for man on a planet or moon a giant leap away from Earth. The US space agency is a shadow of its former self, facing death of a thousand budget cuts. Its space shuttles are retired, their replacements canned.
It’s far more likely that the next footprint on the moon will be sponsored by a cashed-up entrepreneur. Think Richard Branson, the airline tycoon who founded Virgin Galactic. Or think American hotel chain billionaire Robert Bigelow, who wants to build a space station.
Or maybe think Gina Rinehart. Stuff NASA, we could have GINA: a Ginormous Investment in National Aerospace, sponsored by our very own chief mining magnate. Our richest person could put an Australian on the moon. Maybe even build an Australian colony. It would be revolutionary: for her, and for the country. And she could do it.
Continue reading "This woman could take us to infinity and beyond" »
Latest 2 of 126 comments
View all comments-
Randal says:
Hear…Hear Comrade Tim and SD. Lets pay everyone the same, whether they are the boss or the hole digger, control the media to ensure it only reports what we want it to say, and off to the Gulag anyone who disagrees with us! Who cares if this type of government… Read more »
-
Nett on Net says:
Good to see the old Aussie “Tall Poppy Syndrome” is alive and flourishing. How the hell do you any of you people know what Gina spends her money on? Not everyone calls a camera crew when they donate to a worthy cause. She had to fight a very public battle… Read more »
You can’t blame Hope Rinehart for trying to get her Mum to pay for a cook, a housekeeper and a bodyguard. Optimism isn’t even her middle name - it’s right up there.
And who among us wouldn’t have a fairly ambitious birthday wish list if Mum was the richest person in Australia?
So Hope asked Mum for a cook (AND showed her willingness to negotiate by including a salary ranging from $40,000 to $225,000+ which means she’d presumably gun for Jamie Oliver but be happy with a Subway “sandwich artist”).
Continue reading "The Rinehart whine came straight from the heart" »
Latest 2 of 139 comments
View all comments-
chopper knows says:
We’ve all been scammed. The Media being the catalyst. If you were a multi billionaire with concerns for family safety and potential kidnappers what would you do? You would purchase power and influence in a major media company. You would set up a “dummy” court case to be televised nationally/Internationally… Read more »
-
Rose says:
I reckon that being raised by Gina Reinhardt would be doing the hard yards. I don’t imagine that woman having anything remotely like maternal instinct or a nurturing nature. I would hazard a guess that being raised by her would have been awful. She clearly hasn’t earnt the respect of… Read more »
Facebook Recommendations
Read all about it
Punch live
Up to the minute Twitter chatter
@GreenJ how dare you even suggest such a thing. I'd love to blog from their traning session though about what a pack of toffs they are
RT @kellieconnolly: @penbo @antsharwood Not judging Hackett but to set the record straight again I had been asking 9 for a redundancy and left on good terms
Feisty piece by @antsharwood leading http://t.co/5WsLF5Pf on how ch 9 can punt spiteri connolly rowe but not the delightful grant hackett
Recent posts
The latest and greatest
Is there a nicotine patch strong enough for this?
Ok. I am not a leading expert in world’s best practice on prisoner rehabilitation — my experience…
A great win by Webber, but it sure as hell wasn’t sport
This morning I joined millions of other Australians in accelerating, braking, swearing and spilling coffee…
Fighting Assad one strongly worded statement at a time
This weekend’s massacre in Houla, Syria, is one of those stories that invites but doesn’t…
Nosebleed Section
choice ringside rantings
From: They must pay for one’s bitter disappointments
Michael S says:
"A teacher at Geelong Grammar had criticised her for using words that were too long, which had left her confused and had made her doubt her ability to write essays. She became ''quite distressed'' when her English marks began to fall." I can sympathise. My scholastic mentors conveyed to me a causal relationship… [read more]From: Welfare for breeders is a bonus for everyone
Change Up! says:
I have no problem paying my taxes. As a single, childless person on a very decent income, I can afford it and not have my life severely altered. Plus I understand that my taxes paying for things like schools, childcare and infrastructure is ultimately a good thing. A better community is better for me… [read more]Gentle jabs to the ribs
They must pay for one’s bitter disappointments
A private school girl’s family is sueing her elite, extremely expensive private school for not… Read more
Latest 2 of 69 comments
View all commentsAdd your comment