Gina Rinehart lobbied Qld government to move Olympic events to Rockhampton

Lead

Documents released under Queensland's right-to-information laws show that Australia's richest person, Gina Rinehart, wrote to Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie advocating for Olympic rowing and canoeing events to be held in Rockhampton, prior to the city being awarded the events. The correspondence, sent under the letterhead of her mining company Hancock Prospecting, came before the Queensland government's decision to move the 2032 Games rowing events to the Fitzroy River.

Coverage comparison

The two outlets covering the story — ABC Australia and The Guardian — agree on the central facts: Rinehart lobbied for Rockhampton, the Fitzroy River is a natural habitat for saltwater crocodiles, and the Queensland government rejected an independent review's recommendation to hold rowing events in Sydney.

Where they differ is in framing and emphasis. ABC Australia reported the story with a neutral tone, highlighting the government's decision to hold events in Rockhampton despite concerns, and quoting a Hancock Prospecting spokesperson who said Rinehart offered insight "as a supporter of Australian rowing" and that any suggestion of ulterior motives was "completely false." The Guardian took a more critical stance, describing the plans as "controversial" and noting "significant backlash" from the rowing and broader Olympic communities, as well as concerns that a new facility could become a "white elephant."

Key claims

Gina Rinehart wrote to Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie to advocate for Rockhampton as the venue for Olympic rowing and canoeing, according to a letter obtained under right-to-information laws reported by ABC Australia and The Guardian. The letter was sent before the LNP's Games Delivery Plan release in March 2025, which announced Rockhampton as the venue.

In the letter, Rinehart wrote: "As a supporter of Australian rowing for more than a decade, I am aware that the Australian team often trains on the Fitzroy River and that Rockhampton annually hosts the Queensland state school championships. This rowing facility is world-class and is already close to major infrastructure, so it offers the potential to save taxpayer money."

A feasibility study analysing the Fitzroy River found it would need significant works to host the event, including widening and dredging, according to ABC Australia. The Guardian reported that the river is a natural habitat for saltwater crocodiles, which are occasionally found in the water at Rockhampton.

The idea to hold Olympic rowing events in Rockhampton was first floated by a central Queensland advocacy group that included Queensland Nationals senator Matt Canavan, according to ABC Australia.

The Queensland government's venues review, finalised in early 2025, recommended holding rowing events in Sydney at the existing facility near Penrith, as reported by The Guardian. The government rejected that recommendation and chose Rockhampton instead.

Rinehart is the Patron of Rowing Australia and has been involved in the sport for many years, according to a Hancock Prospecting spokesperson quoted by ABC Australia. The Guardian also reported that Rinehart is a key financial backer of the One Nation party and has extensive mining and pastoral interests.

Neither outlet indicated the exact date of Rinehart's letter. ABC Australia reported that the letter was obtained under right-to-information laws, while The Guardian said the letter was undated but understood to have been sent prior to the government's decision to move rowing to Rockhampton.

A Hancock Prospecting spokesperson, as quoted by ABC Australia, said the letter was sent "for the reason of outlining the benefits hosting Olympic events would bring to a regional town like Rockhampton," adding: "To suggest she has done so for any ulterior motive or to gain any kind of personal benefit is completely false!"

Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie did not answer questions around what influence, if any, the letter had on the decision, according to ABC Australia.

The Guardian reported that the decision to send rowing events to Rockhampton went against the venues review's recommendations. The review was used by the newly elected Queensland government to justify breaking election promises not to build a new stadium, according to The Guardian.