IT WAS a rally like no other. On the back of a flatbed truck, the country's richest woman bellowed into a megaphone, imploring one of the best-dressed assemblies of protesters to gather in Perth to vent their anger on Kevin Rudd.

Gina Rinehart didn't so much deliver a speech as lead a very repetitive chant, imploring the crowd of 2000 to tell ''jittery Labor MPs in marginal seats'' to AXE THE TAX on miners' super profits.

She followed another prominent member on Australia's rich list, Andrew Forrest, who declared that the hopes and dreams of thousands - or was it millions? - hinged on whether they could force the Prime Minister to back down.

Most of the protesters worked in the industry and held neatly printed placards handed to them on arrival. But there were others, too, including retirees worried about their superannuation and budding landlords like distinctively dressed accountant Vak Kyriacou.