Gina Rinehart, Australia’s wealthiest individual and prominent mining magnate, has expressed her disappointment over the Liberal Party’s recent election loss. In a statement on her website, she attributed the Coalition’s defeat to media biases and a failure to adopt policies aligned with those of former US President Donald Trump. Rinehart accused the “left media” of effectively persuading the Liberal Party to abandon Trump-inspired strategies, resulting in a perception that they had become the “me too” party, lacking original ideas.
Rinehart advocates for the Liberal Party to adopt a more right-leaning stance, arguing that they should implement “Trump-style” policies aimed at revitalising Australia through reduced government regulation and expenditure. She contends that such approaches would enable tax reductions, which she believes were notably absent in the party’s platform during the election. Additionally, Rinehart’s admiration for Trump is well-documented, having attended his election event at Mar-a-Lago last year.
Despite these views, Rinehart’s perspective contrasts sharply with analysts who suggest that Trump’s unpredictable policies, including his tariffs, played a significant role in Labour’s sweeping electoral victory. During the election coverage, Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie acknowledged the impact of the “Trump factor,” while some senior Coalition members, like Simon Birmingham, have called for a return to the political centre, arguing that the party is perceived as distant and unrelatable in today’s political landscape.
While Rinehart insists on a significant shift to the right for the Liberal Party, she noted that the fallout from the election has been disheartening for many. She urged the party to learn from this defeat rather than abandon truth or rationality in their analysis. Furthermore, she remarked that many Australians fail to grasp the necessity of new investments to enhance revenue and living standards.
In her statement, Rinehart extended her best wishes to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, acknowledging the electorate’s decisive choice in favour of his leadership. She called for carefully considered policies from his government moving forward, signalling her belief in the importance of effective governance during this transitional period for Australia.