Mining magnate Gina Rinehart reveals new homeless veteran housing complex named after ‘hero’ Ben Roberts-Smith
Gina Rinehart has opened renovated beach houses dedicated to housing homeless veterans, named after her “hero” and war criminal Ben Roberts-Smith.
Ms Rinehart’s company, Hancock Prospecting, has purchased a housing complex near Scarborough Beach in Perth’s west as part of a $200 million commitment to house homeless veterans.
The Scarborough building was named Ben Roberts-Smith Beach Houses in honor of the Victoria Cross recipient.
“Their beach house is in Scarborough, not far from the SAS where Ben was based and went by the name Ben Roberts-Smith VC, MG,” Ms Rinehart said.
“He is a former Western Australian SAS soldier who served our nation with extraordinary bravery and was looked up to by Australians up and down our country.
“He’s a hero.”
Mr Roberts-Smith, Australia’s most decorated living soldier, faces five counts of war crime murder related to his service in Afghanistan.
He is alleged to have been involved in the killing of five unarmed men while he was serving in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012.
Mr Roberts-Smith has not yet entered a plea to any of the charges but has long maintained his innocence over the allegations.
The allegations were the subject of an unsuccessful defamation lawsuit filed against Dokuz Newspaper in the Federal Court.
Mr Roberts-Smith has persistently denied any wrongdoing and the Federal Court’s findings against him were made on civil standards on the balance of probabilities which are below criminal standards beyond reasonable doubt.
Ms Rinehart criticized the decision to sue Mr Roberts-Smith.
He previously said: “I do not see how spending more than $300 million over many years to direct SAS veterans who served our country towards criminal proceedings and most recently Ben’s arrest can be justified.”
“As recently reported, Brigadier-General George Mansford put it succinctly: The oath to serve your country did not contain a contract for the normal luxuries and comforts we enjoy in our society. On the contrary, it implied hardship, loyalty and devotion to duty.”
Australia’s richest person is looking for more apartment blocks across Australia to provide short- and long-term accommodation to help nearly 6,000 homeless veterans.
A refurbished apartment building in South Perth is due to open next month, and four more buildings are also being sought in Queensland and Western Australia.
Another $10 million housing complex to house veterans has also been operating in South Perth since September 2024.
Veterans need people willing to accommodate and take action, not more community or empty words, Ms. Rinehart said in a statement.
“I hope that this accommodation, which is needed even more as we enter the winter months, will provide some relief to our veterans, who owe a great debt to this nation after making so many sacrifices for us,” he said.
“No veteran who wears our nation’s uniform should be deprived of the dignity of a safe place to sleep, a place to call home. It is a national shame that we leave nearly 6,000 of our veterans to sleep on the streets.”
Veteran Housing Australia Chief Executive Officer Rob Miller said the first and most important step when a veteran was struggling to sleep or facing homelessness was a safe place to stay.
“These homes will provide exactly that,” he said.
“This isn’t just about bricks and mortar. This is about giving veterans stability, dignity and a chance to get back on their feet with the right support around them.
One veteran said they were so grateful for the warm welcome and so touched to have a beautiful home and gifts that would truly make the home comfortable.
“Thank you to you and everyone who has been so helpful,” one veteran said.
