Fortescue Metals Group’s Andrew 'Twiggy' Forrest has copped flack over his welfare speech at the National Press Club.
Camera IconFortescue Metals Group’s Andrew 'Twiggy' Forrest has copped flack over his welfare speech at the National Press Club. Credit: AAP

Mining magnate Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest’s speech on welfare cops backlash on social media

Danielle Le MessurierNews Corp Australia

MINING magnate Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest is copping backlash on social media after giving a speech on welfare at the National Press Club in Canberra.

In his speech, the billionaire chairman of Fortescue Metals took aim at cash splash welfare, saying it bred “complacency”, “laziness” and rewarded bad choices.

“I believe that we must have the courage of our convictions, and if that means campaigning for change when the status quo smacks of inadequacy and laziness, then we must be prepared to shake things up,” he said.

Fortescue Metals Group chairman Andrew 'Twiggy' Forrest at the National Press Club.
Camera IconFortescue Metals Group chairman Andrew 'Twiggy' Forrest at the National Press Club. Credit: AAP

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

Mr Forrest, who led a review into indigenous jobs and training two years ago, said no amount of money would end “the indignity and despair of indigenous disparity in this country”.

“Only courage in leadership can,” he said, adding: “We know that opposition to change is the evil which carries it on.”

Some have vented their frustration to the “insensitive” speech over Twitter, slamming the WA businessman — once dubbed Australia’s richest man by Forbes in 2008 — for denying less fortunate Australians social security.

Mr Forrest was also accused of “ripping holes in the safety net” and quizzed on his qualifications to be providing welfare advice.

Mr Forrest said he wanted to see welfare as a “guiding hand up” and not just a “mindless hand-out”.

He then shared his own success story, explaining how he had “failed my way to success” over 30 years.

“You might recall Anaconda Nickel, my first zero to billion dollar shot. That was a tumultuous, extremely difficult and well publicised journey,” he said.

“You will remember that I was written off as a total failure, unlikely to enter the ranks of successful business leadership ever again. Yet Murrin remains today one of the biggest global contributors and essential providers of nickel and cobalt.”

Last month Social Services Minister Christian Porter unveiled massive welfare reform, saying he would consider linking welfare payments to school attendance.

Mr Porter handed down the long-awaited Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC) report at the National Press Club in Canberra, which examined the impact of long-term welfare reliance.

Originally published as ‘Shame on you, Twiggy’