Mining billionaire Gina Rinehart, Australia’s richest person, has lamented the federal election result and called on the Liberal Party to embrace Trumpist policies as it rebuilds from the ashes of Saturday’s defeat.
In a statement on her personal website, Rinehart blamed the Coalition’s loss on the media and a lack of policies similar to those championed by US President Donald Trump.
“The left media did a very successful effort, frightening many in the Liberal Party from anything Trump and away from any Trump-like policies,” Rinehart wrote.
“This has been especially obvious this year, with the Liberals instead becoming known as the ‘me too’ party.
“Trump-style ‘make Australia great’ policies via cutting government tape, government bureaucracy and wastage, and hence being able to cut taxes, [were] too scarce in Australia this year.”
She is also a high-profile Trump backer, having been at the US president’s Mar-a-Lago resort for his election party last year.
Under Dutton, the Coalition proposed cutting tens of thousands of public servant jobs and appointed Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price as shadow spokesperson for government efficiency in a clear echo of Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency.
Rinehart’s point is at odds with the many commentators and politicians who have attributed some of Labor’s election landslide to the unpredictability of Trump, particularly the volatile economic impact of his tariffs.
“The Trump factor has absolutely had a role in the election,” Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie said during Nine’s election coverage.
Other senior Coalition figures have called for the Liberal Party to move back towards the centre of Australian politics.
“The broad church model of a party that successfully melds liberal and conservative thinking is clearly broken,” former Senate leader and finance minister Simon Birmingham said.
“The Liberal Party is not seen as remotely liberal and the brand of conservatism projected is clearly perceived as too harsh and out of touch …
“A Liberal Party fit for the future will need to reconnect with and represent liberal ideology, belief and thinking in a new and modern context.”
But Rinehart was adamant a drastic lurch in the opposite direction was appropriate.
“No doubt the left media will now try to claim that the Liberal loss was because the Liberal Party followed Trump and became too right! The two simply don’t add up,” she said.
“Yes, the loss was devastating for the Liberals, emotionally exhausting for many, disappointing and worrying for many, but [it’s] important to not throw away truth and analysing skills, and instead learn from the loss and rebuild.
She also claimed “too many Aussies seem very short on understanding that new investment is needed to create revenue and living standards”.
The mining magnate also wished Albanese well.
“Australians have overwhelmingly voted in a returning … PM and government, we must wish him well, with carefully considered policies,” she wrote.
