Originally published by The West Australian.
25.06.2026
Hancock Prospecting has unveiled its newly refurbished accommodation to house homeless veterans and war heroes — with the residential complex named in honour of Ben Roberts-Smith.
The Gina Rinehart-owned company on Wednesday announced the properties — offering more than 20 beds in Scarborough — had welcomed its first residents as part of the mining magnate’s $200 million commitment to help house homeless veterans.
Mrs Rinehart said she hoped the accommodation would bring comfort to struggling veterans who sacrificed so much for the nation.
“Our veterans do not need more committees, or empty words. They need accommodation and people willing to act,” Mrs Rinehart said.
“No veteran who has worn our nation’s uniform should be left without the dignity of a safe place to sleep, and somewhere to call home.
Hancock Prospecting has unveiled its newly refurbished accommodation to house homeless veterans and war heroes — with the residential complex named in honour of Ben Roberts-Smith.
The Gina Rinehart-owned company on Wednesday announced the properties — offering more than 20 beds in Scarborough — had welcomed its first residents as part of the mining magnate’s $200 million commitment to help house homeless veterans.
Mrs Rinehart said she hoped the accommodation would bring comfort to struggling veterans who sacrificed so much for the nation.
“Our veterans do not need more committees, or empty words. They need accommodation and people willing to act,” Mrs Rinehart said.
“No veteran who has worn our nation’s uniform should be left without the dignity of a safe place to sleep, and somewhere to call home.
Mrs Rinehart said she hoped the accommodation would bring comfort to struggling veterans who sacrificed so much for the nation.
Mrs Rinehart said she hoped the accommodation would bring comfort to struggling veterans who sacrificed so much for the nation. Credit: Supplied
“It is a national disgrace that we leave approximately 6000 veterans to sleep in the streets.”
Mrs Rinehart — who is Australia’s richest woman — called on the Albanese Government to do more to help those who were owed a great debt.
“I hence call again to the Albanese Government, to urgently recognise that no veteran should be left without a safe place to sleep, and immediately open all unused or partly used barracks and other unused or partly used defence accommodations, to enable thousands of homeless veterans to have a place to live,” she said.“I also call again upon the Albanese Government to urgently recognise that veterans who have served our country, should be able to work as much as they want, simply pay tax on their earnings, without jeopardising their very well-deserved pensions.
“Letting veterans work as much as they may wish, has many benefits, including letting them achieve their own rentals or homes.”
The new properties come on top of Mrs Rinehart’s $10 million Sir Valston Hancock House, a dedicated complex of refurbished units opened in 2024.
Mr Roberts-Smith’s parents, Len and Sue Roberts-Smith, opened the accommodation, which will be managed by Veteran Housing Australia.
The pair said in a statement they were proud to see their son’s name attached to a place that would give veterans a safe and welcoming roof over their heads when they need it most.
“Our son has been through so much, and our family knows deeply that the challenges faced by veterans and their loved ones do not end when their service does. In many ways, it just begins,” the statement said.“For many veterans, the hardest battles come long after they return home, and projects like this show them they have not been forgotten.”
Mrs Rinehart said she was proud the accommodation was named after Mr Roberts-Smith.
“The beach houses are in Scarborough, not far from the SAS, where Ben served and carry the name of Ben Roberts-Smith VC, MG,” she said.
“He is a West Australian, former SAS soldier, who is looked up to by Australians across our country, and who served our nation with extraordinary courage. He is a hero.”
Mr Roberts-Smith was charged with five counts of war crime murder related to his deployment in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012. He has consistently denied the allegations.
