Australian MP Barnaby Joyce has rejected claims of a conflict of interest after billionaire Gina Rinehart bought an $8 million Brisbane office building to lease to One Nation for its new headquarters.
Ms Rinehart, Australia’s richest person, purchased the three-storey inner-city property through Hanrine Investments, a subsidiary of her mining company, Hancock Prospecting.
Mr Joyce said One Nation was renting the building at commercial rates and that Ms Rinehart was entitled to use her money as she wished.
“It’s her building. It’s her lease. We’re leasing it off her at commercial rates,” he said on Monday.
“We’ve got an individual who’s got money – they should be allowed to spend it as they see fit. If they want to support One Nation, knock yourself out.”
Mr Joyce also said accepting Ms Rinehart’s support could reduce the need for One Nation to seek financial support from taxpayers.
“We always make sure we pay for things ourselves as best we can in One Nation,” he said.
Ms Rinehart has previously supported One Nation leader Pauline Hanson with gifts, including a private plane valued at $1.5 million.
She also at least partly sponsored Senator Hanson’s travel to Europe in June, when the pair were seen together at a resort in southern Italy. During the trip, Senator Hanson met far-right and fringe figures, including anti-Islam campaigner Tommy Robinson.
After returning to Australia, Senator Hanson criticised federal regulations she said were unnecessarily obstructing mining projects. Her comments echoed Ms Rinehart’s own criticisms.
Senator Hanson described the mining magnate as “wonderful”, saying: “She’s a very smart, clever woman … she’s a very proud, patriotic Australian and she sees the same in me, that’s why she backs me.”
