Gina Rinehart lobbied Qld government to move Olympic events to Rockhampton

Billionaire mining magnate Gina Rinehart wrote to Queensland's deputy premier advocating for Olympic rowing and canoeing to be held in Rockhampton prior to the beef capital being awarded the event.The state government has consistently dismissed criticism of the croc-infested Fitzoy River hosting the 2032 Games events.A letter from Mrs Rinehart to Jarrod Bleijie, obtained under right to information laws, asked the government to consider Rockhampton before the LNP's Games Delivery Plan release in March 2025."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," the letter said."This rowing facility is world-class and is already close to major infrastructure, so it offers the potential to save taxpayer money."School rowers training on the Fitzroy River. (Supplied: Rockhampton Grammar School)A feasibility study analysing the Fitzroy River found it would need significant works to host the event, including widening and dredging.The idea was first floated by a central Queensland advocacy group that included Queensland Nationals senator and party leader Matt Canavan.'Hardly surprising'The correspondence was sent under the letterhead of Ms Rinehart's mining company, Hancock Prospecting.A spokesperson for the company said the letter was sent "for the reason of outlining the benefits hosting Olympic events would bring to a regional town like Rockhampton"."Mrs Rinehart is also the Patron of Rowing Australia, has been involved in the sport for many years, and she knows Queensland well, so it's hardly surprising that she would offer insight on this matter, as other similar sporting representatives also did," the spokesperson said."To suggest she has done so for any ulterior motive or to gain any kind of personal benefit is completely false!"In a statement, Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie did not answer questions around what influence Mrs Rinehart's letter had on his decision-making, or why he had not disclosed the advocacy.Jarrod Bleijie said the government "listened to the chorus of regional communities" when selecting Olympic venues. (ABC News: Lucas Hill)"We listened to the chorus of regional communities who felt they were being denied the investment and generational infrastructure of the Games by Labor, which is why we've got 2032 back on track and ensured it will be an event and a legacy for all Queenslanders, including in places like Cairns, Townsville, Maryborough, Mackay, Toowoomba and Rockhampton," Mr Bleijie's statement said.Shadow Treasurer Shannon Fentiman described the reporting on the letter as "an interesting read"."I think this raises a lot of questions for the deputy premier and what Gina Rinehart got in return for getting her way," she said.Scenic Rim Mayor Tom Sharp said the Queensland State Rowing Centre at Wyaralong Dam had been overlooked.The Fitzroy River rowing course has been previously used for training camps for international rowing teams. (ABC: Alice Roberts)"The Queensland government has listened to powerful lobby groups," Cr Sharp said."We've seen that in what's been reported overnight in relation to the Gina Rinehart advocacy piece."He said Rockhampton had not hosted state-level events for five years and that he would like to see Wyaralong reconsidered.An independent 100-day review of Games venues recommended rowing be held at the Sydney International Regatta Centre in Penrith, which the government rejected.