Arabic version: راينهارت حثّت كوينزلاند على اختيار نهر فيتزروي لفعاليات أولمبية
According to ABC News, mining magnate Gina Rinehart wrote to Queensland Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie advocating for Olympic rowing and canoeing events to be staged in Rockhampton. The state government later awarded the Fitzroy River location the events for the 2032 Games.
The letter, obtained under right-to-information laws, was sent before the LNP’s Games Delivery Plan was released in March 2025. Written on Hancock Prospecting letterhead, it said Australian rowers often trained on the Fitzroy River and that Rockhampton hosted the Queensland state school championships annually. It described the facility as world-class and close to major infrastructure, saying it could “save taxpayer money”.
A feasibility study of the Fitzroy River found significant works, including widening and dredging, would be needed for the events. The river course has previously been used for training camps by international rowing teams. The proposal was first raised by a central Queensland advocacy group that included Queensland Nationals senator and party leader Matt Canavan.
A Hancock Prospecting spokesperson said Ms Rinehart’s letter outlined the benefits Olympic events could bring to a regional town such as Rockhampton. The spokesperson said she was patron of Rowing Australia and had long been involved in the sport, rejecting any suggestion of an ulterior motive or personal benefit. Mr Bleijie did not answer questions about the letter’s influence or why the advocacy had not been disclosed, saying the government had listened to regional communities when choosing venues.
Shadow Treasurer Shannon Fentiman said the report raised questions for the deputy premier. Scenic Rim Mayor Tom Sharp said the Queensland State Rowing Centre at Wyaralong Dam had been overlooked and called for it to be reconsidered. An independent 100-day review had recommended rowing be held at the Sydney International Regatta Centre in Penrith, but the Queensland government rejected that recommendation.
