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Gina Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting has lost its bid to retain royalties from the mammoth Hope Downs iron ore project and will be forced to pay Wright Prospecting half of its royalties from the project, worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
In a landmark ruling in the Western Australian supreme court on Wednesday, justice Jennifer Smith said that Wright Prospecting had successfully made out its contractual claim to 50% of past and future royalties paid from the Hope Downs mining complex near Newman in north-west WA.
Wright Prospecting first launched legal action more than 15 years ago, arguing that the family business should share in the spoils arising from tenements that had been pegged out by prospectors Peter Wright and Gina Rinehart’s father, Lang Hancock, in the 1950s.
But the court dismissed Wright Prospecting’s claim to ownership in other mining assets held by Hancock Prospecting.
Top news
Victoria left without limits on political donations after high court rules laws unconstitutional
Sydney judge overturns bail conditions limiting anti-Herzog protester from entering CBD
US military says it killed four more people in a boat strike in the eastern Pacific
In pictures
Trump tweets, penguins and human-sized chess are among the artworks to feature in the National Gallery of Victoria’s 2026 Triennial. Organisers have unveiled the blockbuster contemporary art show, which this year includes several works exploring the perception of truth, artificial intelligence, digital culture and the importance of human community.
What they said …
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“I wish there was these people in the world that were there to sit impartially and just provide solace and care” – Nicole Kidman
The Australian actor has revealed she is now training to be a death doula – a professional who provides emotional, physical and psychological support to the dying. Kidman said the idea came to her in 2024 after her mother, Janelle (pictured), died aged 84.
Full Story
What will it take for the PM to speak up against Trump?
Anthony Albanese frustrated many when he reiterated his support for the US- Australia alliance earlier this month. And he did so again days later when he responded to Donald Trump’s threat to wipe out the entire Iranian civilisation by calling it inappropriate.
Political editor Tom McIlroy speaks to Nour Haydar about how Australia’s response and language stacks up and why the prime minister is being so cautious.
Before bed read
“When I’m seen changing a nappy, surprise on people’s faces tells me the bar isn’t just set low – in many contexts it doesn’t exist,” writes Zac Seidler. New dads like Zac want to do fatherhood differently. Where can they find support?
Daily word game
Today’s starter word is: HYPE. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.
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