MINING magnate Gina Rinehart has taken to penning poetry to take a swipe at her critics.

Australia's wealthiest person took a leaf out of Banjo Paterson's book, writing a poem titled Our Future that trumpets the benefits of the resources industry, criticises taxation and lampoons the government.

Her words have been engraved on to a plaque fixed to a 30-tonne iron ore boulder that now sits as an artistic feature outside the new Coventry Square Markets in Morley. The rock was donated in November by Mrs Rinehart's company, Hancock Prospecting, from its Roy Hill iron ore project in the Pilbara.

In the poem she has a dig at "political hacks" who were "unleashing rampant tax": "The end result is sending Australian investment, growth and jobs offshore. This type of direction is harmful to our core."

In a closing verse, she champions the cause of migrant labour: "Develop North Australia, embrace multiculturalism and welcome short-term foreign workers to our shores."

Greg Poland, chairman of Strzelecki Group, which owns the Coventry Square Markets, and a long-time close friend of Mrs Rinehart, said it was his idea to have the boulder installed.

He said it was a monument to iron ore and its importance to the state.

But he said it was Mrs Rinehart who pieced together the poem, which represents the views of a group the pair support, Australians for Northern Development and Economic Vision.

"Gina is very passionate about things in (the poem), and knowing Gina quite well, when you read the poem, you can see her saying it," Mr Poland said.

"She's very, very concerned about incompetent governments blowing our earnings on stupid things and imposing more taxes on people.

"She wants us to evolve, think outside the square. She's very forward-thinking."

Our Future also touches on Mrs Rinehart's views that the resources sector suffers unfair criticism, and a call for the creation of a northern economic zone to offer tax advantages to attract individuals and companies to the area.

Mrs Rinehart's love of poetry is not new, with friend Ron Manners saying she gets along well with his favourite poet, Adelaide resident Nan Witcomb, who writes under the name Nanushka.

Mr Manners also penned a personal poem for Mrs Rinehart's 58th birthday soiree on Thursday.

Mr Poland said poetry was one of several creative ways Mrs Rinehart, who rarely gives interviews or speaks publicly, would communicate her views.

"I'd be very surprised if you don't see Gina popping up in some interesting and creative ways. I think she's got so many good ideas it's just wait or see," he said.

THE POEM IN FULL

The globe is sadly groaning with debt, poverty and strife

And billions now are pleading to enjoy are better life

Their hope lies with resources buried deep within the earth

And the enterprise and capital which give each project worth

Is our future threatened with massive debts run up by political hacks

Who dig themselves out by unleashing rampant tax

The end result is sending Australian investment, growth and jobs offshore

This type of direction is harmful to our core

Some envious unthinking people have been conned

To think properity is created by waving a magic wand

Through such unfortunate ignorance, too much abuse is hurled

Against miners, workers and related industries who strive to build the world

Develop North Australia, embrace multiculturalism and welcome short term foreign workers to our shores

To benefit from the export of our minerals and ores

The world’s poor need our resources: do not leave them to their fate

Our nation needs special economic zones and wiser government, before it is too late.