WA billionaire Gina Rinehart’s company Hancock Prospecting bought the main table at a Liberal Party event celebrating its 80-year anniversary, the Australian Financial Review is reporting.
Held at Crown Perth on Thursday evening, and headlined by former Prime Ministers Tony Abbott and John Howard, the event was held as a mixer for party donors with deep pockets.
Hancock Prospecting paid $10,000 for the table, but Rinehart herself did not attend. However, current WA Liberal leader Libby Mettam, federal leader Peter Dutton and Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas were all present.
9 News Perth reported that many who attended the event were optimistic there would be a swing towards the Liberals in WA during the next election.
The state Liberals hold just three seats in the lower house, but are hopeful of regaining some of the five seats it lost in 2022.