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Rinehart allegedly tried to recruit Liberal MP to One Nation, Four Corners reports

Henry Pike says he is 'and always will be' a Liberal after lunch at the mining magnate's holiday home

By LineZotpaper
Published
Read Time2 min
Billionaire mining magnate Gina Rinehart allegedly tried to recruit Liberal National MP Henry Pike to One Nation during a lunch at her Sunshine Coast holiday home, according to Coalition sources cited by ABC's Four Corners program.

Four Corners reported that Mr Pike, who represents the Queensland seat of Bowman, arrived at Mrs Rinehart's $34 million Sunshine Coast beach house in January to find One Nation leader Pauline Hanson, her then chief-of-staff James Ashby and federal MP Barnaby Joyce staying there.

Coalition sources told the program that during the lunch, Mrs Rinehart asked Mr Pike whether he was thinking of joining One Nation or would ever consider it. The LNP member saw it as an active attempt by the billionaire to recruit him to the party.

Mr Pike declined to be interviewed by Four Corners but issued a statement.

"I have enormous respect for Mrs Rinehart and all she has achieved," he said. "But I am, and always will be, a Liberal. I believe in the Liberal Party, in our leadership, in our values that shaped modern Australia, and in our ability to do it all again. Australia's future is too important for political opportunism."

Mrs Rinehart did not respond to Four Corners' questions about whether she tried to recruit Mr Pike or other Coalition MPs to One Nation.

The report comes amid questions about the extent of Mrs Rinehart's support for One Nation. In April, she gifted the party a plane worth more than $1.5 million, while two of her executives, former NT chief minister Adam Giles and professor Ian Plimer, each gave the party $500,000. Mr Giles also donated a Ford Ranger ute.

Senator Hanson has acknowledged consulting Mrs Rinehart on policy. "My policy on pensioners being able to work unlimited hours and without losing their pension or their health care card came from Mrs Rinehart," she told ABC Radio in Perth.

The report noted Mrs Rinehart, Australia's richest person with an estimated fortune of about $39 billion, has praised Senator Hanson and hosted fundraisers for the party. Professor Plimer's largest previously disclosed political donation was $50,000 to the National Party.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • The allegation points to a major political donor using personal hospitality to broker a party switch, which could reshape the balance of power in Queensland politics if repeated.
  • It raises questions about the influence of private wealth on minor party recruitment and policy development.
  • One Nation has already received significant gifts and donations from Mrs Rinehart's circle, intensifying scrutiny of her political role.

Background

Gina Rinehart is Australia's richest person and has become one of One Nation's most prominent backers. Her support has coincided with the party's transformation into a third force in Australian politics, and has included fundraisers, policy advice and a series of donations from her executives. Mr Pike, who represents the Queensland seat of Bowman, has previously held fundraisers hosted by Mrs Rinehart. The Four Corners investigation examined her relationship with the party and the extent of her influence over its direction.

Key Perspectives

Gina Rinehart: Did not respond to Four Corners' questions about whether she tried to recruit Mr Pike or other Coalition MPs. She has previously supported One Nation through fundraisers, donations and advice. Henry Pike: Declined to be interviewed but said he has enormous respect for Mrs Rinehart while insisting he is and always will be a Liberal, describing political opportunism as a risk to Australia's future. Coalition sources: Told Four Corners the lunch encounter was an active attempt by Mrs Rinehart to recruit Mr Pike, suggesting the approach was not casual conversation. Critics and skeptics: The scale of donations from Mrs Rinehart's associates, including the $500,000 gifts from Adam Giles and Ian Plimer, has raised concerns about the influence of wealthy donors over One Nation's policies and recruitment.

What to Watch

  • Whether Mrs Rinehart responds publicly to the Four Corners allegations.
  • Whether further claims emerge that other Coalition MPs were approached about joining One Nation.
  • Any new donation disclosures to the Australian Electoral Commission from Mrs Rinehart's associates.
  • Senator Hanson's continuing references to policy advice from Mrs Rinehart, which may signal a closer ongoing relationship.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

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