news, federal-politics

Former Liberal frontbencher Sophie Mirabella has been hired by mining magnate Gina Rinehart as a lobbyist and spin doctor in Canberra. The dumped Indi MP was named on Friday as the first general manager of government and media relations for Ms Rinehart's company Hancock Prospecting. "Given the continued growth of Hancock this is a very exciting time to include our first GM of government and media relations, and to welcome Sophie on our team," Ms Rinehart said in a statement. "Sophie is not shy of hard work, and we are pleased that she has accepted this new challenging role with our hardworking executive team, and I look forward to her contribution towards the HPPL group." Weeks after announcing she was quitting frontline politics to become a commentator, Mrs Mirabella praised her new boss, a long-time donor to the Liberal and National parties. "The appointment is immediate and I look forward to working for Mrs Rinehart who I know well, and who I regard as a great Australian and outstanding role model" Mrs Mirabella said. The controversial former frontbencher in Tony Abbott's opposition told last month blamed left-wing media, activist group GetUp!, trade unions and "Melbourne-based feminists" for her recent defeat. "I'll always have an interest and I will always support good people because I think that's important but it's time to think of my family and to do other stuff," Mrs Mirabella told Sky News. "I'm young. I've got a lot of experience, a lot of skills and I'll be on this side and be a commentator rather than a participant." Mrs Mirabella first entered Parliament in 2001 and her loss to independent Cathy McGowan was one of the shocks of the 2013 election. After her defeat, the Abbott government named her as a director of ASC Pty Ltd, formerly the Australian Submarine Corporation. Mrs Mirabella was defeated again at last month's federal election as Ms McGowan recorded a 4.5 per cent swing in the regional Victorian seat. It came after a rocky campaign in which she denied shoving Ms McGowan during a photo with federal Liberal MP Ken Wyatt and outcry at her admission that the 2013 defeat meant a $10 million funding commitment to the Wangaratta Hospital was dropped. Hancock Prospecting has donated more than $37,000 to the Liberal and National parties in recent years. Ms Rinehart said the company's recent growth had been driven by development of its three iron ore mines at Hope Downs in the Pilbara and construction of the Roy Hill mine. Separately on Friday, Ms McGowan named former Border Mail and Shepparton News editor Di Thomas as her new chief of staff. Follow us on Twitter

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