Gina Rinehart buys $8m Brisbane office for One Nation headquarters
The mining billionaire's property company has purchased a Spring Hill building that the political party says it will lease at commercial rates.
Mining billionaire Gina Rinehart has purchased an $8 million office building in Brisbane to serve as the new national headquarters for the One Nation party.
Hanrine, a property investment company owned by Rinehart, finalised the purchase of the three-storey building in the suburb of Spring Hill last week. Queensland property records confirm the transaction, which was first reported by The Australian. The building, which last sold in 2003 for $2.4 million, features two floors of office space, ten parking spots, and a top-floor balcony with views over the city.
The deal has immediately renewed scrutiny of the close relationship between Australia’s wealthiest person and the right-wing populist party. However, both sides insist the lease is a standard commercial arrangement.
One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce said the party’s national head office would pay full market rent.
"It’s her building, it’s her lease. We’re leasing it off her at commercial rates," Joyce told News24, adding that there would be no discounted "mate's rates" and that the party would pay for the space out of its own wallet.
"If we’ve got an individual who’s got money, they should be allowed to spend it as they see fit," Joyce said.
A spokesperson for Hancock Prospecting said the company holds a wide portfolio of commercial property. "Hancock is not providing free or discounted space to any outside tenant, political or otherwise," the spokesperson said.
The purchase follows recent revelations about the extent of the financial and personal support Rinehart has provided to One Nation leader Pauline Hanson.
In April, Hanson and Joyce stayed overnight at Rinehart’s $20 million mansion in Brisbane after a party fundraising event. During the visit, Joyce conducted a live television interview with Seven's Sunrise program from one of the bedrooms.
Hanson has also been using one of Rinehart’s long-serving personal bodyguards for her own security during trips to Perth and Canberra. The guard has worked closely with Rinehart for more than a decade.
In addition, One Nation has breached Senate disclosure rules by failing to declare multiple flights gifted to Hanson by Hancock Prospecting since August last year. These included flights to a conservative political conference in Florida and a Halloween party hosted by Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate.
Hanson has previously described Rinehart as both a close friend and an unofficial policy adviser. Speaking to ABC radio in June, Hanson said her party's policy to allow pensioners to work unlimited hours without losing their pension or healthcare card came directly from the billionaire.
"I consider her a friend and I’m very grateful for her support," Hanson said. "I listen to anyone who brings good policy to me."
Key numbers
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Estimated purchase price of the Spring Hill office building | $8,000,000 | The Australian |
| Previous sale price of the building in 2003 | $2,400,000 | Property data |
| Estimated value of Gina Rinehart's Brisbane mansion | $20,000,000 | Guardian Australia |
In this story
| Name | Role in the story |
|---|---|
| One Nation | The political party setting up its national headquarters in the building. |
| Pauline Hanson | Leader of the One Nation party who has a close personal and political relationship with Rinehart. |
| Barnaby Joyce | One Nation MP who defended the commercial nature of the office lease. |
| Gina Rinehart | Mining billionaire who purchased the Brisbane office building. |
