‘Thank whoever they like’: Pauline Hanson weighs in on Gina Rinehart Commonwealth Games swim drama
Originally published by Sophie Elsworth of Code Sports
25.07.2026
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson hit out at Australian team officials’ decision to silence swimmers from thanking their billionaire benefactor Gina Rinehart and said they should be allowed to “thank whoever they like”.
It emerged this week that Australia’s swim team received strict instructions from Commonwealth Games Australia not to mention the WA mining magnate during the Glasgow Games despite Mrs Rinehart providing the athletes with tens of millions in financial support over the past decade.
Senator Hanson, who has a close professional relationship with Mrs Rinehart, said it is appalling the athletes were ordered not to reference Mrs Rinehart during the 11-day international event in Scotland.
“For many of our Commonwealth and Olympic athletes, Gina Rinehart is the only reason they’ve been able to commit the time and effort to their chosen sport,” Senator Hanson said.
“And you know where that money came from?
“Hard work and mining — not windmills and solar panels.
“So if it’s good enough for swimmers to thank their family and coach when they win medals at this year’s commonwealth games, I think they’ve earned the right to thank whoever they like”.
Sources told this masthead that swimmers competing in Glasgow had been issued stern instructions not to make any mention Mrs Rinehart and if they did so it would be in breach of their CGA contracts.
Depending on the success of the swimmers, Mrs Rinehart will reward swimmers who win medals up to $20,000 if they bring home gold, up to $5000 per person if they win in relay events and $30,000 for breaking a world record.
Under athlete agreement clauses it prevents the promotion of any rewards during the Games unless it is from a benefactor or an official Australian team partner.
Mrs Rinehart’s financial support for swimmers is not an official benefactor or partner of the Australian scheme.
Senator Hanson said she has been in the company of Mrs Rinehart when she has been with some of the country’s best swimmers and they have a fantastic relationship.
“I’ve spent time with some of our countries best swimmers in the presence of Gina Rinehart and the relationship between them is like that of family,” she said.
“They love her as much as she loves them”.
Senator Hanson was recently photographed in the Sicilian city of Taormina alongside Mrs Rinehart and they attended a fashion event hosted by luxury Italian designer Dolce & Gabbana.
Earlier in the week Australian Chef de Mission Petria Thomas said the financial agreement between Mrs Rinehart and her company Hancock Prospecting and Australia’s swimmers was a “separate agreement”.
“That’s not something that Commonwealth Games Australia is involved in whatsoever,” Ms Thomas said.
“I mean, good luck to the swimmers, I guess. They’ve got someone backing that performance but that’s a separate matter for them”.
