WA’s most reclusive billionaire now has a women’s shelter named after her

A newly opened Northbridge women’s and children’s shelter at the centre of months of political controversy will be named after one of the state’s wealthiest but most reclusive mining billionaires, Angela Bennett.

Ruah chief executive Debra Zanella revealed Bennett made a “significant contribution” to the facility but would not reveal the exact amount she donated.

Angela Bennett.Credit: AFR

That contribution earned the billionaire – worth $4.4 billion according to the Australian Financial Review’s February rich list – the privilege of having the seven-storey facility named the Angela Wright Bennett building.

Angela Bennett is the daughter of Peter Wright, who along with Lang Hancock pioneered the discovery of valuable iron ore deposits in Western Australia’s Pilbara region.

Despite being one of the richest people in the country, Bennett maintains a low profile, with as few as two public photographs of her in existence.

The state government spent $29.2 million on Ruah’s Centre for Women and Children on James Street, including $14 million for operational costs. The facility will include a safe night space and can accommodate up to 13 women and 26 children seeking refuge at one time.

Minister for the Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Sabine Winton said the units were for women who are beginning the process of recovery and healing.

“At its heart is putting victim survivors first and providing a safe, supported environment that puts their needs front and central,” she said.

At the opening on Wednesday Housing Minister John Carey reignited a feud between the state government and City of Perth Lord Mayor-come-Liberal candidate Basil Zempilas.

“Basil Zempilas and his council should be embarrassed … the reality is, Basil Zempilas and his council shut down the women’s shelter. Councillors voted against this project, and they’ve made it clear they want to drive out homelessness services.

“It depends on what sort of leadership you want to provide for your community. Do you work to people’s worst fears, which is what Basil Zempilas and his council are doing, or do you take people on a journey to tackle this very difficult issue?”

Zempilas said the housing minister needed to spend more time building houses, “and less time trying to demonise me”.

“Everyone can see through his pathetic attempts to distract attention away from his shocking record of inaction and ineffectiveness,” he said.

“The Safe Night Space is open and operating in the City of Perth. And the new Ruah Centre has been supported at every stage by the city.”

The safe night space for women political firestorm heated up at the start of the year when City of Perth funding ceased for a pilot running in East Perth.

Zempilas and the city had resisted Ruah’s plans to move its safe night space to Northbridge over concerns of its impacts on local residents.

Zanella would not be drawn on questions about Zempilas specifically but said she drew strength from the founders of her organisation – the Daughters of Charity.

“The Daughters of Charity came to this space in 1959. Bold, courageous, bolshie women, who many men probably told them to be quiet and stay in their habits, and they said, ‘No, there’s a need’, and I take courage from that,” she said.

Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.