澳大利亚首富吉娜·里哈特曾向昆士兰州副总理贾罗德·布莱吉写信，建议在洛克汉普顿的菲茨罗伊河举办奥运划船比赛[1]。这封未标注日期的信函是根据信息自由法申请中发现的仅有的里哈特与布莱吉之间的往来文件[1]。昆士兰州政府随后在2025年3月宣布了一项奥运场馆计划，其中包括在洛克汉普顿进行划船比赛，同时在维多利亚公园建设一座25000座的国家水上运动中心[1]。
这两个项目的宣布引发争议，因为它们都不符合独立政府基础设施委员会(GIICA)的建议[1]。GIICA曾建议在拟议的布里斯班竞技场建设临时游泳池作为最佳遗产方案[1]。作为赛艇澳大利亚的赞助人及汉考克勘探集团的负责人，里哈特否认因游说而获得利益回报，声称"为任何不正当目的或获得个人利益是完全错误的"[1]。野党影子财政部长香农·芬蒂曼质疑政府是否因里哈特的支持而向其提供回报[1]。
Australia's richest person, Gina Rinehart, wrote to Deputy Prime Minister Jarrod Bleijie ahead of Queensland's March 2025 Olympic venue announcement, proposing that rowing competitions be held on the Fitzroy River in Rockhampton.[1] The suggestion contradicted an independent review body's recommendations, while the government simultaneously announced plans to build a 25,000-seat national aquatic centre at Victoria Park—a project that also lacked endorsement from the independent advisory panel.[1]
Rinehart, who serves as sponsor of Rowing Australia and heads the Hancock Prospecting group, stated that suggestions she lobbied for personal benefit were "entirely wrong."[1] The undated personal letter was the only correspondence between Rinehart and Bleijie located through freedom of information requests.[1] Opposition shadow treasurer Shannon Fentiman questioned whether the government had rewarded Rinehart for her influence in securing the arrangements.[1]