Originally published by Kylie Stevens of Daily Mail
23.04.2026
Australia’s richest woman Gina Rinehart will contribute $200million towards emergency accommodation for homeless veterans in one of the nation’s biggest-ever philanthropic donations.
The mining magnate said that the money would go towards buying suitable buildings to house veterans, including hotels, motels and apartment blocks.
She was compelled to act after learning that 5,800 veterans experience homelessness annually – nearly three times the rate of the general population, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
Ms Rinehart is now leading calls for a different approach to veterans housing, a crisis impacting many other Aussies.
‘I am pleased to confirm that Hancock Prospecting is committing $200million to help struggling veterans after their service to our nation,’ she said.
‘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 hosting 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.
‘This is unacceptable. I hope that others will also actively and generously help to lessen this tragedy.’
Ms Rinehart also urged state and federal governments to reduce duplication and repurpose surplus office space into rent-free accommodation for homeless veterans.
They include currently unused or hardly-used military barracks, such as Western Australia’s Leeuwin and Irwin facilities.
‘Currently, around 80 per cent 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,’ Ms Rinehart added.
‘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 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.
‘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.’
Ms Rinehart has already contributed $10million towards setting up Sir Valston Hancock House, a South Perth complex which offers emergency accommodation to homeless veterans.
In less than two years, the refurbished units have provided 3,500 nights to veterans who would otherwise been on the streets.
‘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,’ Australian Air Force Association WA Michelle Fyfe said.
‘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.’
Ms Rinehart is a long-time supporter of veterans through Soldier On, the SAS Resources Fund, Commando Welfare Trust, Legacy and the RSL.
She was also the primary funder of the annual Lest We Forget sunset tribute at the Sydney Opera House on Anzac Day Eve.
