Barred Rinehart hits back at Russia

Article by Ben Packham and Carly Douglas courtesy of the Australian.

Australia’s richest person, Gina Rinehart, has called the war in Ukraine a “stark reminder” that Australia needs to build up its defences, after the mining magnate was included on a Kremlin list of 121 sanctioned Australians.

“We urgently need millions of smart mines in our thousands of kilometres of otherwise indefensible oceans, and capable missiles, war drones, and more,” Ms Rinehart said on Friday.

“Much as I have very nice Russian friends and enjoyed very much my two visits to St Petersburg, and would love to revisit, I would not wish to do so if not welcomed, or if I have concerns for my safety. If speaking out in the manner above means I can never visit Russia again in my lifetime, so be it.”

The list, published on Thursday night, bans a haphazard collection of CEOs, media figures, academics and defence chiefs from visiting Russia anytime soon, becoming a badge of honour for those who made the cut.

It comes months after waves of sanctions by the Australian government over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, targeting hundreds of Russian oligarchs, politicians and media figures, and anyone connected to the ­nation’s defence sector.

Nearly a dozen of The Australian’s journalists are on the list, including editor-in-chief Christopher Dore, foreign editor Greg Sheridan, political editor Simon Benson, and this reporter.

News Corp co-chairman Lachlan Murdoch and director Prudence Murdoch MacLeod also made the list, along with ABC chair Ita Buttrose, Herald Sun columnist Andrew Bolt, Daily Telegraph editor Ben English, Herald Sun editor Sam Weir, and ABC presenters Stan Grant and Patricia Karvelas.

Defence Secretary Greg Moriarty made it, along with all the nation’s defence chiefs: Chief of Defence Angus Campbell, Chief of Navy Mike Noonan, Chief of Army Rick Burr, and Chief of Air Force Mel Hupfeld.

Mining magnate Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest, Atlassian cofounder Mike Cannon-Brookes, Seven West Media chairman Kerry Stokes, Nine Entertainment Group chair Peter Costello, and Meriton apartment developer Harry Triguboff also made the list.

Others listed included Australian Strategic Policy Institute executive director Justin Bassi, Australian National University Russia expert and emeritus professor Paul Dibb, and ANU professor John Blaxland.

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas is new to the job but he had some swagger at Friday’s national cabinet meeting after becoming the only state leader to make it on to the list.

He said he was glad Moscow had noticed “the leading role that South Australia is playing in trying to stand up for the democratic values that we collectively as a country hold dear”.

As an Australian of Lithuanian heritage, Mr Malinauskas said his family “knows all too well the human tragedy that can occur in the face of unacceptable Russian aggression”.

It came as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky invited Anthony Albanese to visit Kyiv when he is in Europe later this month for a NATO meeting.

The Prime Minister said he would take advice on the security issues, adding: “One of the reasons Australia has been invited to NATO is Australia is the largest non-NATO contributor to give support to Ukraine.”