Mrs. Gina Rinehart was tonight awarded the Champion of Entrepreneurship Award at the 2018 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year awards.
The Champion of Entrepreneurship award is an award at both regional and national levels and is awarded to a leader with a long-term record of outstanding entrepreneurial achievement.
Being selected to receive this lifetime achievement award is a testament to the outstanding entrepreneurial success of the Champion over many years.
This year and in recognition of sustained, outstanding entrepreneurial achievement, the 2018 Champion of Entrepreneurship is awarded to Mrs. Gina Rinehart. Mrs Rinehart, as Executive Chair of the HPPL group, Roy Hill and Kidman & Co, has significantly invested in Australia over decades in primary industries, creating thousands of jobs, opportunities for many, and billions of dollars of tax revenue. She received the Diggers and Dealers award twice, and more recently this year received the inaugural award for her contribution to West Australia’s development, in addition to other awards. Mrs Rinehart’s dedicated leadership and efforts changed the then troubled Hancock Prospecting Group, to the most successful private company in West Australia’s history, under her executive chairmanship.
Mrs Rinehart has been the leading light in the development of Northern Australia. She set up Australians For Northern Development and Economic Vision to wake up the community and political leaders to the potential that lies untapped in our North. She has directed many of her private investments into Northern Australia. A true pioneer and entrepreneurial Australian.
The Ernst and Young awards were held at a black tie ceremony at the Crown Towers, Perth. Due to international commitments, Mrs. Rinehart was unable to attend, however her goddaughter, Jennifer, proudly accepted the award on her behalf.
Acceptance Speech:
Mrs Rinehart sends her sincerest apologies for being unable to attend in person tonight however she is honoured to accept this award in recognition of her long-term achievement and significant contribution to the Australian economy and community.
As you would be aware, Mrs Rinehart is a leading figure in the Australian business community who has a long and proud history of investing in Australia, creating thousands of jobs and providing opportunities for many.
Since becoming Executive Chairman of the financially troubled Hancock Prospecting Group in 1992, Mrs Rinehart has steered the group to become one of Australia’s most successful, diverse and iconic businesses. With major achievements including the development of the mega Roy Hill project, the construction of three major iron ore mines at Hope Downs with joint-venture partner Rio Tinto, with a fourth to be completed this year, and the considerable expansion of Hancock’s agricultural business, now the second largest producer of cattle in Australia and encompassing the world class 2GR Wagyu and Bannister Downs Dairy. Hancock Prospecting, after decades of Mrs Rinehart’s hard work and effort, is now Australia’s largest private taxpayer paying more than $3 billion in taxes since 2011.
A deeply philanthropic woman, Mrs Rinehart’s generous and special charitable endeavours are only possible because of her exceptional entrepreneurial skills and include a number of women’s health and children’s rights organisations like the Path of Hope Foundation and Parkerville Children and Youth Care Foundation, support for defence personnel through the SAS Resources Trust, Breast Cancer research and care facilities including a $5m dollar donation for the major redevelopment of St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney and her now famous pink mining trucks in recognition of the fight against breast cancer. Through her success in business and personal efforts funds were able to be provided for the rebuild of the new Ronald MacDonald House here in Perth and the also overseas to Cambodian Children’s Fund, and these are just to name a few. A champion for equality, women’s rights and education and the fight against violence against women and children, Mrs Rinehart is an inspiration not just for women in the business community to work hard, excel and become an entrepreneur for but all Australians to be inspired by and proud of.
With a passion and vision of creating a better Australia, with reduced red tape, economic stability and recognition of the importance of the agricultural and mining industries in Australia’s future, Mrs Rinehart is an iconic and worthy recipient of this award and I am proud to accept it on her behalf.