AdvertisementPoliticsQueenslandQueensland government Rinehart lobbied Bleijie on Rockhampton rowing. Share A A AThe Queensland government went against the advice of its own Olympic venue review with a controversial decision to host rowing in Rockhampton after intervention from Australia’s richest person and conservative political patron Gina Rinehart. Hancock Prospecting chief Gina Rinehart highlighted Rockhampton’s status as a major mining town in her push for the Fitzroy River to host the 2032 Olympic rowing. Advertisement“Hosting a marquee Olympic event like rowing at Australia’s ‘Beef Capital’ in Rockhampton would enable Queensland to tell the iconic Australian story of our pastoralists and farmers, terrific Aussies. Instead, GIICA’s 100-day review of venues recommended rowing be held at the site of the Sydney 2000 Olympic competition in Penrith.