Rich list’s richest swell coffers

THERE are just 22 women among Australia’s richest 200 people, with Gina Rinehart still the highest ranked, followed by her estranged daughter Bianca.

Paper, packaging and recycling magnate Anthony Pratt tops the 2017 Financial Review Rich List with a fortune of $12.6 billion, propelled to No.1 by the growth in America of the Pratt Industries packaging business.

Property tycoon Harry Triguboff has been knocked down to second, despite his wealth increasing to $11.45 billion, while stronger commodity prices boosted Ms Rinehart’s fortune by more than $4 billion to an estimated $10.41 billion, putting her in third spot.

The 2017 rich list features 60 billionaires — the most in its 34 years — and the total wealth of all rich listers has soared to $233.1 billion.

But the number of women on the list is down from a record 23 last year. Women have comprised about 10 per cent of the list for some time. Rich List editor John Stensholt said: “It’s disappointing, quite frankly and it just shows you how difficult it is for female entrepreneurs in this country to make the big money.”

The second richest woman, Bianca Rinehart, has 23 per cent of Hancock Prospecting and has an estimated wealth of $2.74 billion.

Australia’s Top 5:

1. Anthony Pratt, $12.6 billion. 2. Harry Triguboff, $11.45b. 3. Gina Rinehart, $10.41b. 4. Westfield chairman Frank Lowy, $8.26b. 5. Glencore boss Ivan Glasenberg, $6.85b.