Gina Rinehart commits $200 million to tackle veteran homelessness

In a move to recognise a national crisis and national disgrace, Gina Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting is contributing $200 million to buy properties to help Australia’s homeless veterans and war heroes, the biggest ever private commitment for Australian veterans.

Mrs Rinehart, named by Solider On Australia as the “Honorary Guardian of Australian veterans,” confirmed that millions in private funding will go directly to acquiring suitable accommodation to help Australia’s more than 6,000 homeless veterans to get a roof over their head. Veterans are three times more likely to be homeless than the average Australian.

Suitable buildings across Australia are currently being assessed for acquisition and conversion into quality residential accommodation for Australian veterans, with a focus on locations that enable access to employment, transportation, services and support. Existing buildings such as hotels, motels, apartment blocks are being prioritised, as they can be rapidly repurposed without the years of approvals and delays associated with new construction, enabling ready-to-use accommodation to be delivered to veterans as quickly as possible, recognising the urgency of the need.

This commitment adds to the Hancock Prospecting Executive Chairman’s renowned long-time backing of service personnel through generous support to Soldier On, the SAS Resources Fund, Commando Welfare Trust, Legacy, RSL and more.

It also builds on her legacy of having already provided emergency veteran accommodation in her home state of West Australia. The $10 million Sir Valston Hancock House, a dedicated veteran housing complex of newly refurbished units in South Perth, houses Aussie vets who are doing it tough and has been operating since September 2024. This facility is run by the Australian Air Force Association WA Limited (RAAFA), to ensure beds are not left empty.

The facility has already provided approx. 3,500 nights of accommodation to veterans who otherwise would have slept on the streets.

Named after her uncle, Air Marshal Sir Valston Eldridge Hancock, KBE, CB, DFC, who during World War II held many roles, before being appointed Chief of Air Staff from 1961 to 1965, the House provides comfort and safety for struggling veterans and, at times, their families.

Mrs Rinehart has also been the primary funder of the annual Lest We Forget Sunset Tribute at the Sydney Opera House on ANZAC Day Eve.

Quotes attributable to Mrs Gina Rinehart AO:

“I am pleased to confirm that Hancock Prospecting is committing $200 million to help struggling veterans after their service to our nation.

“I was shocked to learn recently that more than 6,000 veterans are homeless. This is unacceptable. I hope that others will also actively and generously help to lessen this tragedy. 

The housing crisis, a crisis made critical by government approvals and permits delaying new housing and the ability to extend houses, high government taxes adding to costs, and record high immigration causing housing shortages, has affected many Australians. But maybe not enough are aware that more than 6,000 of our veterans are now sleeping in the streets. 

Clearly, our contribution alone will not help enough homeless veterans, leaving around 6,000 veterans still homeless. A different approach to the veterans housing crisis is badly needed, a crisis also effecting many other Aussies too.

Firstly, military barracks currently unused or hardly used such as Leeuwin and Irwin in West Australia, and others around the country, the government should consider the veterans, and immediately open those doors to homeless veterans.

Further, currently around 80 percent of new jobs are taxpayer funded, with our already record debt, record business failures, too high taxation, rising costs and interest rates, expanding the bureaucracy is not sustainable. 

My second suggestion, we cannot afford this extra layer of duplicated federal government. States have the same departments, for instance such duplication includes, agriculture, environment, the arts, plus minerals and fishing up to the 12 nautical mile limit, these federal departments must close (just a very reduced contingent left to handle minerals and fishing beyond the 12 nautical mile limit) and leave the states to manage the rest with their existing duplicate departments.

The empty offices could help to house rent free homeless vets, with more rooms available for those suffering from violence or abuse and needing safe places, or struggling Aussie pensioners. Yes more curtains, crockery, cutlery, bedding, bathrooms, and some kitchens would need to be included, the reduction in the salaries of thousands of federal bureaucrats, could be put to good use, plus renting out spare offices if possible, could also bring income. Many businesses would benefit, supplying the foregoing.”

Quotes attributable to Michelle Fyfe, CEO of the Australian Air Force Association WA Limited (RAAFA) 

“This ANZAC Day, RAAFA is proud to mark the extraordinary success of Sir Valston Hancock House, a program that is not only providing accommodation, but restoring dignity, stability and hope to West Australian veterans.

“Since opening in September 2024, Sir Valston Hancock House has demonstrated both its impact and the scale of the need. 

“Since opening, the program has delivered thousands of nights of safe accommodation, supported veterans into employment, reconnected individuals with their families, and most importantly, helped people rebuild their lives. Behind every number is a human story; veterans who have moved from living in cars or uncertainty to having a safe place to call home, often for the first time in years.

“Sir Valston Hancock House works because it is more than housing. It is part of an integrated model of care, connecting accommodation with advocacy, health services, employment pathways and long-term housing solutions. This “no wrong door” approach ensures veterans are supported holistically, not just temporarily.

“This initiative would not have been possible without the vision, leadership and generosity of Mrs Gina Rinehart and Hancock Prospecting. Mrs Rinehart’s commitment to veterans goes far beyond this project. Her long-standing advocacy, investment and recognition of those who have served our nation has created something truly meaningful – a place that is changing lives every day. On behalf of RAAFA, and the veterans we serve, I extend our sincere and heartfelt thanks.

“Sir Valston Hancock House stands as a powerful example of what can be achieved when purpose, partnership and leadership come together. It also highlights the work still to be done.

“We know demand continues to outstrip supply, particularly for older veterans and those with complex needs. The success of this program is driving RAAFA’s continued investment in expanding veteran accommodation and support services, including the Andrew Russell Veteran Living program.

“Our focus remains clear, to ensure that no veteran is left without support, without connection, or without a place to call home.”