Gina Rinehart gave away $100,000 tax-free lottery prizes to dozens of her employees at recent company parties — while an insider lifts the lid on her lavish 70th birthday bash.
The billionaire’s roughly 4,000 employees in the mining, energy and agriculture divisions of her private company all have a chance to win “life-changing” sums of money at the company’s black-tie events.
It is understood that during the recent Christmas parties and Ms Rinehart’s birthday party in February, around 70 employees received a tax-free award of $100,000, equivalent to $7 million.
“It’s like a station attendant working in rural Queensland winning 100,000 after tax, like something crazy, life-changing happens,” a company insider revealed to Daily Mail Australia.
The mining magnate (pictured with mining engineer Tad Watroba) threw the party last Thursday evening in a huge marquee on the banks of Perth’s Swan River, as Guy Sebastian sang the national anthem.
Guests were treated to a horse show with riders carrying the Australian and company flags
“It’s really in the spirit of how she treats her employees as well, and really tries to look after everyone, not just the high-level guys who are at the head office in Perth.”
Last year, Hancock Prospecting posted annual profits of $5 billion, making Ms Rinehart Australia’s richest person with an estimated fortune of $37 billion.
The mining magnate celebrated this together with approximately 400 of her long-time employees by organizing a lavish black tie event last Thursday on the banks of the Swan River Perth, with a horse show and performances by Guy Sebastian.
‘The guest list consisted mainly of employees. It wasn’t this rich, politically connected event,” one attendee said.
The riders carried whips and were dressed in the iconic Driza-Bone coat maker, which Ms Rinehart bought last year (pictured)
Many employees wore Rossi boots under their ball gowns and tuxedos, in a nod to Ms Rinehart’s purchase of the company in December (pictured)
That said, Perth Mayor Basil Zempilas was the MC for the occasion and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton flew from Canberra to be there.
Guests were treated to a horse show with riders carrying the Australian and company flags down the red carpet.
The riders carried whips and were dressed in the iconic Driza-Bone coat maker, which Ms. Rinehart bought last year.
“It was a huge, huge seating area with a lot of entertainment,” the visitor added.
‘The riders initially came in wearing their Rossi jackets and carrying both the Australian and company flags.
‘After their grand entrance, Guy Sebastian sang the national anthem and came back a little later to sing another set.’
Other Hancock Prospecting executives celebrating birthdays in February were also celebrated with multiple chocolate cakes
“It was essentially an event to celebrate long-serving employees, combined with a birthday celebration for Ms R and many other senior managers who have birthdays in February.”
Many employees wore Rossi boots under their ball gowns and tuxedos, in a nod to Ms. Rinehart’s purchase of the company in December.
Employees from the Pilbara and elsewhere in Australia were able to beam down to the event.
So did Ms. Rinehart’s “Cambodian daughters,” who shared an inspiring message.
Ms. Rinehart rescued nine Cambodian girls from poverty in 2009 and paid for their education.
Buses left the site around 10:30 p.m., but senior managers reportedly continued partying elsewhere.
One employee described it as ‘the best night of my life’.
The participant said Ms. Rinehart likes to reward loyalty and takes the opportunity to mingle with her employees at parties.
“She’ll sit there for hours talking to people, like a Roy Hill receptionist or a truck driver or a diesel mechanic, anyone who wants to come and talk to her,” the audience said.
