Gina Rinehart has seized on the rising cost of living for families at Christmas to urge all levels of government to act on tax reform, including a freeze on local council rates for at least six months.

The mining and farming magnate – who is Australia’s wealthiest person, with a net wealth of $37.4 billion – reiterated a call to cut payroll tax, licence fees and the national excise on fuel, which she said should be slashed to ease prices and transport costs in the lead-up to Christmas.