Despite having been in the public eye for most of her working life as a result of her large number of Aussie businesses, Gina Rinehart remains unquestionably an enigma to most of us, rarely conducting media interviews. 

“I have a problem in Australia, where too often I’m misrepresented, even misquoted by media,” Mrs Rinehart says, of the constant media interest in her. “I don’t think I’m the only one who has such a problem though.” 

Focussing on her loyal staff rather than herself on her 70th birthday, Mrs Rinehart handed out $7 million to a lucky 70 people from among the 4000 plus staff across all of her businesses. The gifts were raffled in [after tax] $100,000 lots, 40 in December as part of her mother’s birthday celebrations and the other 30 handed out to mark her actual birthday last week. 

Giving away cash and prizes to staff isn’t just limited to milestone birthdays – she does something every year through her Chairman’s Profit Share which is given away each year on the 7th December, her mother’s birthday, and can be up to 30% of a staff members base salary. 

This year, every staff member also received a $175 voucher to spend at Drizabone or Rossi Boots – two iconic Aussie businesses and the latest additions to what is fast becoming Gina Rinehart Fashion Inc. 

Drizabone, which started in Australia in 1898, was purchased in very early December. Just a few weeks later, 114 -year old company Rossi Boots was added to the apparel portfolio. With the rumoured plans for full production to return to Australia, the first new products will be out in August using only Australian leather from one of Mrs Rinehart’s agricultural businesses to keep operations fully integrated in-house. 

For Mrs Rinehart, the purchase of two quintessential clothing manufacturers is personal, cultural and patriotic. 

“The decision to acquire Drizabone and Rossi was driven by a deep regard for the outback, agriculture and iconic Australian brands,” Mrs Rinehart explains. “Both brands embody the Australian heritage – resilience, quality, sturdiness in harsh conditions, and a deep connection to our land. Qualities and a heritage we deserve to be proud of. For me, this is more than a business venture; it's about our national history and important heritage. These brands have clothed our farmers, our soldiers, and our Olympians.” 

The fashion front row are ready for a battle of the billionaire boot owners, with fellow mining magnate Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest taking control of R.M.Williams. 

She is strong on the Government setting an environment that encourages local manufacturing. 

“I’m not one for governments choosing companies to support financially with taxpayers’ money, they rarely choose well, I prefer a more fair basis, one that enables companies to thrive if they work hard and remain cost competitive. To see Australian living standards rise, and Australians then able to afford their own homes and provide for their families, we need healthy thriving businesses without subsidies and to value investment,” she says. 

Former Northern Territory Chief Minister Adam Giles has been appointed to find Aussie businesses that could join the family. 

“We are on the lookout for opportunities to elevate Australian brands, especially those that align with our heritage and important Aussie values,” Mrs Rinehart says. “Such heritage and Aussie values have been a hallmark, indeed the foundation, of our nation since the pioneering days, and helped to build our country. 

“We would like to help showcase internationally, the best of what Aussies can offer.” 

Mining and agriculture have, and will always be, the foundation of her business. 

The mining interests are of course partly linked to her late father Lang Hancock, albeit Roy Hill will be her own lasting legacy and now provides the greatest revenue across the companies. Agriculture comes from her Hancock lineage who opened up the Northwest with WA’s first stations as well as Mrs Rinehart’s maternal grandfather. He eventually owned all of the iconic Cobb and Co. coach company in Western Australia which helped take people, water, gold, money, equipment, mail and supplies, and opened up regional areas to the major cities. 

Asked to describe the highlight of her own career at the helm of her business, she is clear. 

“Saving our family company and making it not only the most successful private company in Australia’s history, and one of the leading private mining companies in the world, but also a company that is respected internationally. I love to hear our staff say that our company is the best they’ve ever worked for, and the best company in Australia,” Mrs Rinehart says. 

The Roy Hill Iron Ore Mine in WA’s Pilbara region remains the jewel in the Rinehart business crown. The company fully owns atlas, and co-owns the Hope Downs Mines with Rio Tinto. 

Roy Hill has its own port berth at Port Hedland to export iron ore directly to its partners in Japan, Korea, China, India and Vietnam and has plans to grow capacity to almost double its sales globally. 

From multiple cattle and dairy farms across the country, their beef is sold to 25 countries, including Australia. Bannister Downs is the award-winning main consumer milk brand and Kidman Pies are already a household name in South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland and increasingly across Australia. Grain, Barley and cotton crops form part of the wider agricultural success story. 

Most recently she bought Bunbury Farmers Market, north of the foodie haven of Margaret River, which showcases all of the region’s local food, beverages and agriculture. 

On the back of controversial industrial relations changes recently passed in Canberra, Mrs Rinehart says lobbying politicians on behalf of SME’s for business-friendly policies remains a priority. 

“Indeed, if you want to maintain the value of your hard-earned dollar, and if you want to see jobs in (the) future for your children, you need a return to common sense policies,” she insists. 

"To encourage more Australian businesses to consider Australia as a base for manufacturing and production, it is essential to create an environment conducive to investment and business growth. This importantly includes reducing government tape and bureaucratic regulation hurdles that are time consuming, expensive and stifle entrepreneurial spirit. 

“Australia is at a crossroads. We are in need of common sense and urgent responsible action. Government policies need to change and be more conducive to investment, business growth and international competitiveness, if we don’t want to lose our living standards. We have the potential to be a world leader in various sectors. 

“Regulations and government interventions don’t solve problems.”