Some billionaires seek publicity, happy to discuss their strong-held political opinions or talk up charities. Others are more reticent but occasionally agree to mug for the cameras.
Perth’s Bennett family is not like that. Angela Bennett, 79, is the matriarch. Only two photos of her have ever been taken by the press – in one, she was attempting to hide. But the family – heirs to the fortune of Lang Hancock’s business partner Peter Wright – are on the precipice of the big time. More than 50 years after the pioneering mining entrepreneurs first identified the claim, the Bennett family is set to become the co-developers, with mining giant Rio Tinto, of a mega project in the Pilbara, the size of which dwarfs other major iron ore operations.
Primrose RiordanAssociate editorPrimrose Riordan covers private companies and family offices from the AFR's Sydney newsroom. Primrose was previously a correspondent for the Financial Times and covered foreign affairs and politics in Canberra. Primrose has won multiple awards for her journalism including from The National Press Club, SABEW in the US and Press Gazette in the UK. Message Primrose on Signal: https://tinyurl.com/PrimroseSignal Connect with Primrose on Facebook and Twitter. Email Primrose at primrose.riordan@afr.com
Tom RabeWA political correspondentTom Rabe is the WA political correspondent, based in Perth. Connect with Tom on Twitter. Email Tom at tom.rabe@nine.com.au
