Gina Rinehart calls for immigrants’ social media to be screened in Anzac memorial speech

Australia’s richest person, Gina Rinehart, called for immigrants’ social media to be screened and said children are being taught to be ashamed of the Australian flag in untelevised remarks before an Anzac memorial service on the steps of Sydney Opera House on Friday.

Rinehart’s public appearance was attended by about 4,000 people and sponsored by her company, Hancock Prospecting, and RSL New South Wales.

Rinehart claimed the Australian government was wasting money, eroding freedoms, running an ineffective defence force, leaving veterans homeless, teaching children to be ashamed of the Australian flag and doing nothing in response to “death chants”.

“Our immigration procedures must only allow immigrants who have been thoroughly checked – including their phones, iPads, laptops and social media,” Rinehart said in a speech later posted online.

“We need to protect our country – and welcome only peace-loving, contributing immigrants to our shores. This should not be controversial. What Australians really want their families’ lives hurt by terrorists?”

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Rinehart condemned the “despicable, hate-filled act – the murder of our Jewish friends, peacefully gathered in Bondi at the commencement of Hanukkah” and said Australia’s response had been inadequate.

“After the Jews, who is next? Roman Catholics? Other peaceful faiths? As none are in accord with the religion acceptable to terrorists.

“Is it adequate when we know that many in our Jewish community are still living in fear of their lives? Is it adequate, when even after Bondi, within the last month, a huge rally with its flags and death chants, paraded down Macquarie [Street] to where we are now. What happened to laws against hate speech, are those laws deaf when hate and death chants are yelled?”

Rinehart also spoke during the televised section for the event’s prerecorded video introduction.

“I warmly welcome your call for all Australians to generously support our veterans,” Rinehart said. “Our companies support, and I hope many more Australians will support, our veterans.”

The mining magnate’s company on Thursday announced it would put $200m towards buying properties to convert into housing for homeless Australian veterans, which it described as “the biggest ever private commitment for Australian veterans”.

Rinehart has previously donated to RSL, Soldier On, the Commando Welfare Trust, Legacy and the legal defence of former special forces personnel through the SAS Resources Fund.