All the high-profile Aussies attending Donald Trump inauguration - as he’s praised by Gina Rinehart

Australia’s richest person has pleaded with Aussies to “learn from Donald Trump”, and praised his “unapologetic” leadership.

Gina Rinehart has called for Australia to “learn from” Donald Trump’s policies as she prepares to join a contingent of high-profile Aussies at his presidential inauguration next week.

Our country’s richest person, Ms Rinehart has been a fixture at the president-elect’s recent events and was at Mr Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort on election night in November.

Now the billionaire is preparing to jet off for Washington DC, where Republican Mr Trump will be officially sworn in as America’s 47th president on January 20.

Gina Rinehart (right) with PR adviser James Radford and Sam Bjelke-Petersen at a pre-election rally at Salem, Virginia. Picture: Supplied

Ms Rinehart told news.com.au in a statement she was “excited” to be attending an “important occasion … for Americans and important for the USA-Australia relationship”.

“Donald Trump is exactly the kind of dedicated, strong, decisive, brave and unapologetic leader America desperately needs, his impact will be felt around the world,” she said.

The mining magnate and philanthropist said Mr Trump was a “leader who understands the core desires of the American people”.

She cited the MAGA policies of cutting government waste, less taxes, strong defence and deportation of dangerous migrants as how Mr Trump would create a “thriving economy that will see investment in the USA surge and the standards of living of Americans surge also”.

“Much for Australians to learn from, and the sooner the better, given we are now in major competition with the USA for investment, and if we don’t get our economic act together similarly, investment in Australia will continue to decline as will Australians living standards,” she added.

Ex-Liberal Party federal vice president Teena McQueen (left), with Gina Rinehart and leader of the UK Reform party, Nigel Farage at Mar-a Lago.

The executive chairman of Hancock Prospecting previously took out a full-page ad in the New York Times following Mr Trump’s election win, saluting the businessman-cum-politician for “standing up, no matter what is thrown at you”

“Even after a billion-dollar spend by the Democrats, the USA has chosen, with full throttle, repudiation of all things left. Socialism always hurts those less well off the most,” she told WA Today in November.

“He [Mr Trump] stood armed with conviction, huge courage, incredible untiring effort, and a real love of the USA and the American people.

“I do hope Australia watches and learns as they see that cutting government tape, cutting taxes, and cutting government wastage lifts people up, and lifts living standards.”

Donald Trump being sworn in as the 45th US president – he’ll do it again next week. Picture: Timothy A. Clary/AFP

Melbourne packaging billionaire Anthony Pratt is also set to be among the Aussies in attendance at Monday’s ceremony.

A spokesman confirmed Mr Pratt would be at the swearing in ceremony and exclusive black tie events over the weekend prior to the inauguration.

Mr Pratt is considered close to the incoming president and was pictured alongside former prime minister Scott Morrison during Mr Trump’s New Year’s Eve party at Mar-a-Lago.

The Visy and Pratt Industries chair donated $15 million to the Trump campaign, and permanently moved to the States in October.

It’s unclear whether Mr Morrison – whose work now sees him regularly spending time in America – would be at the inauguration.

Donald Trump with Anthony Pratt (left) and ex PM Scott Morrison during a visit to Pratt Industries’s plant in Wapakoneta, Ohio in 2019. Picture: Saul Loeb/AFP

Scott Morrison and wife Jenny were at the Trump’s New Year's Eve party at Mar-a-Lago. Picture: Scott Morrison

Other Australians set to be in Washington next week include News Corp columnists Miranda Devine and Rita Panahi, head of think tank the Institute of Public Affairs John Roskam and host of right wing channel Newsmax Australia Tali Shine.

James Radford, a public relations adviser who has worked with Ms Rinehart and Liberal MPs, is also attending and said it was crucuial the Australian government did not find “itself on the outer with President Trump and his team”.

“With AUKUS underpinning our shared security future and the United States as our largest foreign direct investor, Australia cannot afford to sit on the sidelines as America forges ahead and reshapes the world,” he said.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong confirmed she and Australia’s Ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd would be at ceremony and meet with members of the new administration.

“I am honoured to be invited to attend President Donald Trump’s inauguration,” she said.

“It is a demonstration of the steadfast alliance between Australia and the United States.”

The US Capitol in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2017, before Mr Trump’s first swearing-in. Picture: Mark Ralston/AFP

A host of musical acts are set to perform during inaugural events over the weekend, including country star Carrie Underwood before the ceremony.

Disco group the Village People will also perform at gala events prior to the ceremony, after their songs YMCA and Macho Man became staples of Mr Trump’s election rallies.

“We know this won’t make some of you happy to hear however we believe that music is to be performed without regard to politics,” the band said in a post on its Facebook page.

Originally published as All the high-profile Aussies attending Donald Trump inauguration - as he’s praised by Gina Rinehart