Barnaby Joyce’s message to critics after One Nation moved into Gina Rinehart-owned office: ‘If they want to support One Nation, knock yourself out’
One Nation is moving its national and Queensland offices into a Brisbane building owned by Gina Rinehart’s company as the party expands its operations across Australia. Barnaby Joyce defended the arrangement, saying the party would pay commercial rent and that Rinehart should be free to support One Nation.
The move is part of a wider push into state politics, alongside a staffing change: senior media adviser Richard Henderson is transferring from Pauline Hanson’s federal office to lead media work in South Australia. One Nation won four upper-house and three lower-house seats in South Australia this year, and is also targeting Victoria’s November election, where it could influence who governs.
- One Nation will rent Brisbane offices from Gina Rinehart’s company.
- Barnaby Joyce says the rent will be at market rates.
- The party is expanding its state election efforts.
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One Nation is an Australian political party founded by Pauline Hanson in the 1990s. The party has traditionally focused its efforts on federal elections rather than state politics.
Gina Rinehart is one of Australia's wealthiest businesspeople and has long-standing connections to conservative politicians and causes. Because of her prominence and resources, her business dealings with political organisations typically attract public scrutiny.
Barnaby Joyce is a senior federal politician with a history of involvement in different political groups and contexts. Questions about political parties' relationships with wealthy business figures, and what those relationships mean, remain significant topics in Australian public discourse.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The core argument is that this is simply a commercial transaction where One Nation will pay market rate for office space, with no evidence of improper favour or non-commercial terms. Gina Rinehart, like any business owner, has the right to rent her property to whom she chooses. Supporting a political party through lawful business dealings is a legitimate exercise of free association and property rights.
The case against
The concern is that when billionaires like Rinehart provide material support to political parties—even at commercial rates—it creates questions about political influence and access. Such concentration of political power among Australia's wealthiest individuals raises legitimate concerns about the health of democratic processes and whether ordinary citizens have equal voice. The optics of billionaire backing for political parties deserve scrutiny.