Hancock Prospecting, owned by mining magnate Gina Rinehart, has officially opened its newly refurbished accommodation for homeless veterans and war heroes in Scarborough, Western Australia. The residential complex, named after Ben Roberts-Smith, provides more than 20 beds and is part of Rinehart's $200 million commitment to address veteran homelessness.
First Residents Welcomed
The company announced on Wednesday that the properties had welcomed their first residents. Rinehart expressed her hope that the accommodation would bring comfort to struggling veterans who have sacrificed for the nation. "Our veterans do not need more committees, or empty words. They need accommodation and people willing to act," she said.
Rinehart emphasized the urgency of the issue, stating, "No veteran who has worn our nation's uniform should be left without the dignity of a safe place to sleep, and somewhere to call home. It is a national disgrace that we leave approximately 6000 veterans to sleep in the streets."
Call for Government Action
Australia's richest woman called on the Albanese Government to do more for veterans. She urged the government to immediately open all unused or partly used barracks and other defence accommodations to house thousands of homeless veterans. Additionally, she called for allowing veterans to work as much as they want without jeopardizing their pensions, simply paying tax on their earnings. "Letting veterans work as much as they may wish has many benefits, including letting them achieve their own rentals or homes," she said.
Expansion of Existing Efforts
The new properties build on Rinehart's earlier $10 million Sir Valston Hancock House, a dedicated complex of refurbished units opened in 2024. The Scarborough accommodation is managed by Veteran Housing Australia.
Ben Roberts-Smith's Parents Open the Facility
Len and Sue Roberts-Smith, parents of Ben Roberts-Smith, officially opened the accommodation. They expressed pride in having their son's name associated with a place that offers veterans a safe and welcoming home. "Our son has been through so much, and our family knows deeply that the challenges faced by veterans and their loved ones do not end when their service does. In many ways, it just begins," they said in a statement. "For many veterans, the hardest battles come long after they return home, and projects like this show them they have not been forgotten."
Rinehart's Tribute to Ben Roberts-Smith
Rinehart said she was proud the accommodation was named after Ben Roberts-Smith, a former SAS soldier and West Australian. "He is a West Australian, former SAS soldier, who is looked up to by Australians across our country, and who served our nation with extraordinary courage. He is a hero," she said. Ben Roberts-Smith has been charged with five counts of war crime murder related to his deployment in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2012, which he consistently denies.
