Rinehart receives lifetime achievement award

Gina Rinehart received the 2024 Ayn Rand/The Atlas Society lifetime achievement award in Fremantle on Thursday afternoon, during the closing stages of the Australia: The Road Ahead conference.

Mrs Rinehart - who is the first female to receive the accolade - was presented her award on stage by Atlas Society chief executive officer Jennifer Grossman, who travelled from the US specifically for the presentation.

The mining magnate spoke briefly to the room after accepting the honour, emphasising the importance of Australians being brave in society, irrespective of the challenges they may face. 

"Bravery is so important," she said.

"And also, guess what happens when we get these brave people standing up?

"People follow them - and my goodness, we do need more of those in Australia." 

Ms Grossman outlined the significant achievement of previous honouree recipients, including Mexican entrepreneur Ricardo Salinas, however noted Mrs Rinehart's sustained success across multiple industries were a telling factor. 

"What separates her, however, is not just the brutally challenging logistics of mining industry (but also) the incredibly hostile regulatory climate in which it is forced to operate," she said.

"And this is not to diminish the accomplishments of any of her predecessors. 

"But let’s face it - dredging swamps, building ports, excavating land, drilling mines, transporting product over thousands and thousands of miles over unforgiving terrain - these are accomplishments of a different quarter all together."