One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has disclosed that mining billionaire Gina Rinehart paid for key parts of her trip to Italy, according to an update to Hanson’s gift registry. The newly recorded details identify Rinehart as the benefactor behind the travel arrangement.
The update states that Rinehart covered Hanson’s flights from London to Sicily, with the journey travelling via Rome. It also records that Hanson’s attendance at a high-end fashion parade was paid for as part of the same trip.
The disclosure adds further detail to the public register that tracks gifts and benefits received by elected representatives. In this case, the registry update clarifies who funded the travel and event connected to Hanson’s time in Italy.
The development is likely to draw attention because it links a prominent political figure and one of Australia’s most influential business leaders through a declared travel benefit. Based on the registry entry, the main disclosed expenses were the flights and access to the fashion event.
