New Queensland Housing Complex Opens for Veterans With Gina Rinehart’s Support

Homeless Queensland veterans have started moving into new accommodation provided by mining magnate Gina Rinehart as part of her plan to ensure no Australian veteran sleeps rough.

On Oct. 12, Rinehart opened one of four new veteran housing complexes in the Brisbane suburb of Norman Park.

The complex was named the Daniel Keighran VC Apartments in honour of the Queensland-born Victoria Cross recipient and Afghanistan veteran.

The launch follows Rinehart’s announcement in June that the first veterans had started moving into the Ben Roberts-Smith Beach Houses in Perth’s Scarborough suburb, and the opening of the Sergeant Matthew Locke MG Apartments in Perth in July.

Soldier On Australia recognised Rinehart as an ‘Honorary Guardian of Australian Veterans’ for her efforts to provide housing for an estimated 6,000 homeless veterans across the country.

Veterans Housing Australia, which operates the Scarborough facility, will also operate the apartments in Norman Park alongside the Salvation Army.

Rinehart has also helped veterans through the Sir Valston Hancock House refurbished unit complex in Perth, which has so far provided more than 3,500 nights of accommodation since September 2024 to veterans who otherwise would have had nowhere to sleep.

“After the opening of our first two Perth properties for veterans this year, plus the earlier Sir Valston Hancock House, we’re pleased to be able to provide more accommodation for veterans and their families, this time in Brisbane,” Hancock said in a statement.

“Like Perth, the home of our highly skilled SAS [Special Air Service], Queensland veterans have a long and proud history of service to our nation. While many veterans call this city ‘home,’ sadly too many who have served have no stable home of their own.”

Hancock Prospecting has so far committed $200 million (US$139 million) to the cause, and is calling for wider government support and reform.

“What really makes my blood boil, is that veterans who have fully earnt their inadequate pensions, are restricted from working as much as they may want or need, or if they did work over the tiny amount our government permits, their pensions would suffer,” Rinehart said.

“Veterans should and must be able to work, as much as they may want, without an expensive, intrusive bureaucracy over them, and just have their earnings taxed, as we do.

“For those in Australia in the vast minority wanting high immigration despite the problems this causes, given they say they need workers, wouldn’t it be fantastic if our own veterans were able to work if they chose, and similarly our pensioners, who are also hurt by intrusive bureaucrats and uncaring governments similarly limiting the amount of work they are permitted to do.”

Under current rules, veterans receiving income support pensions can earn up to $226 per fortnight for singles or $396 for couples before their pensions are reduced.

Meanwhile, veteran Keighran said it had been an honour to have his name attached to the Brisbane building.

“Those who have served our nation face unique challenges as they transition back to civilian life. Many land on their feet, but for many others, unforeseen hurdles get in the way and take them on a path that no veteran should have to endure,” he said.

“Mrs. Rinehart has stepped up for these veterans in a way never seen before.”