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https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/mar/17/gina-rinehart-peter-dutton-friends-ideological-love-in-ntwnfb>
"The buzz from Gina Rinehart’s 70th birthday party was reportedly “so
spectacular” that it drifted across the Swan River from the mining magnate’s
Perth home, catching the attention of people more than a kilometre away.
Four hundred guests, mostly employees, had gathered to mark the milestone of
the Hancock Prospecting head, who is deferentially referred to as “the
Chairman” or “Mrs Rinehart”.
The gala event started with a horseback show as riders dressed in Driza-Bone
jackets and Rossi boots carried Australian and Hancock Prospecting flags along
the red carpet, accompanied by music from
The Man from Snowy River.
Guy Sebastian sang the national anthem and multiple chocolate cakes were placed
on podiums.
“It was a very special night,” said the now Liberal MP Basil Zempilas, who
emceed the event. “To see the admiration of the staff and the loyalty, I guess,
but how appreciative they were of the opportunities they have had [was]
something really nice.”
Among the guests was the opposition leader, Peter Dutton, who had flown from
Canberra to Perth to attend the party for just 40 minutes before travelling on
to Melbourne.
His quick visit came on the eve of Victoria’s Dunkley byelection but Dutton was
unapologetic when questioned about the trip.
“I was very proud to be at Gina Rinehart’s 70th birthday,” he said. “I consider
her to be a dear friend, a great Australian and Australia’s most successful
businesswoman.
“I was happy to go there at my own expense to her birthday, and I don’t resile
from it at all.”
The night has since been immortalised in a sweeping mural which now hangs in
the reception of Hancock Prospecting’s Roy Hill mine. It is painted in a
nostalgic style, with smiling party guests looking on at a singing Sebastian.
Dutton has pride of place next to the birthday girl."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
