Nigeria, June 23 -- Israeli defence personnel and politicians might not be top billing in the boardrooms and reception halls of many countries at the moment, but that hardly bothers Australia's richest (and continuously enriched) figure, Gina Rinehart. With a conscience shrivelled by the dig-for-commodities mantra and a world view desiccated by inherited wealth, the mining magnate has little time for what might be broadly called the commonweal. She does, however, have much time for Israeli defence prowess.

In her flatulent address at the 2024 News Corp Australia National Bush Summit, held in Port Hedland, Western Australia, the executive chair of Hancock Prospecting had defence on the brain. A closer look at her untutored remarks, and ...