Gina Rinehart calls for immigrants’ social media to be screened in Anzac memorial speech | Gina Rinehart
Australia’s richest person, Gina Rinehart, called for a sweep of migrants’ social media and said children were being taught to be ashamed of the Australian flag in untelevised remarks ahead of an Anzac commemoration ceremony on the steps of the Sydney Opera House on Friday.
Rinehart’s public appearance was attended by approximately 4,000 people and was sponsored by his company Hancock Prospecting and RSL New South Wales.
Rinehart claimed the Australian government was wasting money, eroding freedoms, running an ineffective defense force, making veterans homeless, teaching children to be ashamed of the Australian flag and doing nothing in response to “death chants”.
“Our immigration procedures should only allow immigrants who have been thoroughly checked, including their phones, iPads, laptops and social media,” Rinehart said. a speech later published online.
“We must protect our country and only welcome peace-loving, contributing immigrants to our shores. This should not be controversial. Which Australians would really want to see their families’ lives damaged by terrorists?”
Rinehart condemned the “despicable, hateful act that amounted to the murder of our Jewish friends who gathered peacefully in Bondi at the start of Hanukkah” and said Australia’s response was inadequate.
“After the Jews, who is next? Roman Catholics? Other peaceful religions? None of them are compatible with the religion that terrorists can accept.”
“Is it enough to know that many in our Jewish community still live in fear of death? Is it enough to have a huge rally with flags and death chants in Macquarie last month, even after Bondi?” [Street] to where we are now. What happened to the laws banning hate speech? Are these laws deaf when chanting slogans of hatred and death?”
Rinehart also spoke during the televised segment for the event’s pre-recorded video introduction.
“I warmly welcome your appeal to all Australians to generously support our veterans,” Rinehart said. “Our companies support our veterans and I hope many more Australians support our veterans too.”
The mining magnate’s company announced on Thursday it would commit $200 million to buy property to be converted into housing for homeless Australian veterans, describing it as the “largest ever private commitment for Australian veterans”.
Rinehart has previously donated to RSL, Soldier On, Commando Welfare Trust, Legacy and the legal defense of former special forces personnel through the SAS Resources Fund.
At last year’s service, the billionaire used his address to call on Australia to increase its defense budget to 5% of GDP and invest in “Israeli-style” drones.
Rinehart sat in the front row at Friday’s service with staff including Tad Watroba, managing director of Hancock Prospecting.
At the end of the ceremony, dozens of attendees waved and thanked Rinehart, some shaking her hand, thanking her for her speech and taking photos with her.
Opposition leader Angus Taylor, who has called for immigrants’ online presence to be screened, spoke briefly with Rinehart at the end of the service.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles also attended and spoke before the official start of the event, as did New Zealand defense minister Chris Penk and the event’s patron, former governor-general Peter Cosgrove. Marles’ office did not respond Sunday when asked what he thought of Rinehart’s remarks.
Other attendees included former prime ministers Scott Morrison and New South Wales governor John Howard, Margaret Beazley, state opposition leader Kellie Sloane and state energy minister Penny Sharpe.
