Top 10 Richest People in Australia

samcglynn March 26, 2012

The Top 10 Richest People in Australia

Courtesy of http://swinpr2011.wikispaces.com/

10. Kerry Stokes
Kerry Stokes has made his fortune from investing in a wide array of industries, such as electronics, print media, real estate, construction equipment and mining. He is most recognisable in his current role as chairman for one of the biggest broadcast companies in Australia, the Seven Network. Currently, Stokes has an estimated net worth of $1.9 billion.

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9. David Hains
Hains is an accomplished investor in his own right who has been the driving force behind Portland House Group for several decades. Once upon a time, Portland House boasted businesses in the manufacturing, retail, engineering and real estate markets. These days, however, it has taken to concentrating on funds management and overseas investments. An avid breeder and racer of horses, David Hains has sneaked on to the list with a net worth of $2 billion.

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8. Kerr Neilson
Neilson originally hails from Johannesburg, South Africa, but got his start in finance in London at Courtaulds. He returned to his homeland in the early 1970′s before relocating permanently to Australia in 1983 while serving as head of the retail funds division with Bankers Trust Australia, since shortened to BT Australia. Neilson now fills the role of managing director and portfolio manager for Platinum Asset Management, a fund which he created in 1994 with assistance from U.S. millionaire George Soros. To date Neilson has a net worth of $2.4 billion.

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7. Anthony Pratt
Pratt is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Pratt Industries as well as the Group Deputy Chairman of Visy Industries. Pratt’s father, Richard, had built Visy in to the largest paper and packaging firm on the planet. In the early 90′s, Pratt established residence in the United States in order to spearhead the expansion of Pratt Industries throughout the U.S. Under his chairmanship, Pratt Industries has witness a 700 per cent increase in sales, employing over 3,000 workers in their U.S. mills and plants. Pratt is valued at $2.7 billion.

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6. John Gandel
Gandel built his enviable net worth primarily in real estate, although he did start out by working and eventually taking over his parents’ successful chain of women’s clothing stores. After inheriting their estate Gandel invested in shopping centres, and to this day his biggest asset includes a 50 per cent ownership in Chadstone, the largest shopping centre in Australia. Gandel is said to have a net worth of $3.3 billion.

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5. Harry Triguboff
Triguboff’s main source of wealth came from developing property, particularly apartments through his Meriton Apartments Pty Ltd., largely considered to be the biggest residential property developer in Australia. Triguboff established residence in 1960 and became a citizen one year later after having grown up in Australia with his Russian immigrant parents from 1947 on. Triguboff has earned the nickname “High-Rise Harry” due to his extensive high-rise developments. His net worth checks in at a cool $3.4 billion.

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4. Frank Lowy
Like many on the top 10 wealthiest Australians list, Frank Lowy was not actually born in Australia but later relocated and established permanent residency. Lowy was born in Czechoslovakia and resided in Hungary during World War II from which he eventually fled before settling in Israel for a spell. He eventually came to Australia where he formed the Westfield Group, which today owns nearly 120 malls throughout Australia, New Zealand, the United States and the United Kingdom. Lowy’s net worth puts him at number four on the list with $4.3 billion.

3. James Packer
Packer hails from the esteemed Australian Packer family and whose father, Kerry Packer, was a mogul in the media industry. James went on to inherit the Packer family business, Consolidated Press Holdings Limited, which continues investments in Crown Limited, Consolidated Media Holdings, and several other ventures. At one time, Packer acted as the Executive Chairman of Publishing and Broadcasting Limited, boasting ownership of stations associated with the Nine network. The estimated net worth for Packer just edges him past Frank Lowy at $4.4 billion.

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2. Andrew Forrest
At one time, Andrew Forrest was known as the richest man in Australia. He is an entrepreneur who specialises in mining throughout Western Australia. He is also the Chief Executive Officer and the primary shareholder for the Fortescue Metals Group Ltd. Forrest is a passionate advocate for miners’ rights as well as an outspoken activist on behalf of indigenous peoples. A generous philanthropist, Forrest is valued at $6.9 billion.

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1. Georgina Rinehart
The only woman on the list, Georgina Rinehart is the daughter of the late Australian iron ore magnate Lang Hancock. After her father passed away in early 1992, Rinehart took the reins as Executive Chairman of HPPL as well as the HPPL Group. She also owns a stake in Network Ten as well as Fairfax Media. Her estimated net worth tops all others on this list at a whopping $9 billion.