Australian billionaire Gina Rinehart has handed out a total of $7 million in cash prizes to employees over just a few months.
The prizes were given as part of the celebrations at her recent 70th birthday party and previously at the company’s Christmas party, a spokesperson for Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting confirmed to 7NEWS.com.au.
The mining magnate gave the prizes to 70 of the company’s more than 4000 employees, with each individual receiving $100,000.
Stream local 7NEWS free on 7plus
Rinehart’s gifts are legendary, with employees frequently showered with them at company events.
Last year, 41 employees were given $100,000 each to celebrate Rinehart’s 41 years at the company.
In 2022, Rinehart “randomly” gave $100,000 each to 10 Roy Hill workers as a Christmas bonus.
The billionaire reportedly “announced the fact that she was going to call 10 names out of a hat” and gift them the money.
An anonymous employee from Roy Hill confirmed the cash bonus and said that one of the winners had only been at the firm for three months — angering some long-term employees.
In 2018, Roy Hill introduced the Chairman’s Profit Scheme for employees, an idea conceived by Rinehart. The scheme rewards employees for their hard work by sharing profits made by Roy Hill’s majority owner Hancock Prospecting.
Employees who join the scheme are eligible for an annual payment.
Rinehart, who was born in Perth, is Australia’s richest person with a net worth of $30.2 billion.