OUTSPOKEN Senator Cory Bernardi wants iron ore magnate Gina Rinehart to be crowned Australian of the Year.

In an email to supporters, Senator Bernardi says Ms Rinehart — who he calls a friend — has shared her success with Australia and deserves the nation’s top honour.

“Gina inherited a company that was mired in debt and business difficulties. As a widowed mother-of-four she worked to turn around the company to become the incredible success it is today,” Senator Bernardi said.

“In the process, she generated thousands of jobs and tens of billions of dollars of future wealth for our nation.”

The conservative Liberal Senator said Ms Rinehart gives tens of millions of dollars to “worthy causes” with little fanfare or media attention, including money for Cambodian orphans and cancer patients in Australia.

“This is a lady to whom wonderful opportunities were given. But they were only opportunities; it took her determination, hard work and strength of character to turn them into realities.”

Senator Bernardi said it is “probably not politically correct” to nominate Ms Rinehart for the award but says “she deserves the honour”.

The 2015 Australian of the Year title was awarded to family violence campaigner Rosie Batty.

This year’s winner will be announced in Canberra on Monday night.