ABC Online...
Labor's agriculture spokesman has raised concerns about billionaire businesswoman Gina Rinehart's influence over Australian agricultural policy.
Key points:
- Gina Rinehart has donated generously to Barnaby Joyce's career in the past
- New England opponent also has raised concern about Mrs Rinehart's "power"
- Farming lobby distancing itself from $40,000 prize presented to Mr Joyce
Joel Fitzgibbon told the ABC he thinks many people have "long been concerned" about the "undue influence" of Mrs Rinehart over former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce.
Before being booted out of parliament for being a dual citizen, Mr Joyce was the federal agriculture minister, and he and Mrs Rinehart are known to be friends.
She has previously been a generous donor to his career, famously attending his
election night party in 2013 and contributing $50,000 to that campaign.
The mining magnate has broadened her business portfolio over the past few years by investing heavily in the farm sector.
Last year she partnered with a Chinese consortium to
purchase the S. Kidman and Co cattle empire, making her one of the biggest beef producers in the country.
Mr Fitzgibbon said there was "not necessarily anything wrong" with leading business people influencing policy.
"That's part of democracy," he said, but added: "It's only a fine line between acceptable influence from our business leaders and the influence that crosses the line."
Mr Joyce was forced into a by-election to try to retain the seat of New England and 17 candidates are in the running.
One of his main opponents, independent candidate Rob Taber, also raised concern about Mrs Rinehart's sway in the agricultural sector.
"Anybody that can wield that much power, I believe, is a problem," he said.
Barnaby Joyce declines $40k cheque after backlash
Today Mr Joyce handed back a $40,000 award from Mrs Rinehart, after an
embarrassing backlash from political opponents and the farming industry.
She personally handed him the prize at a glitzy dinner, which was put on by her company Hancock Prospecting at the Australian War Memorial last night.
Dave R.
