For years one of the most hazardous places to stand was between mining billionaire Andrew Forrest and a microphone. These days the even-wealthier Gina Rinehart is challenging Forrest on visibility and hyperbole.

Most have become very familiar with Forrest eulogising about the climate-induced end of the planet. At the other extreme, Rinehart is sermonising about the catastrophic effect that environmentalists and leftist “watermelons” are having on Australian industry, farmers and even schoolchildren.

She believes kids are being fed “garbage” about climate and giant green incinerators are devouring taxpayer money.

Billionaires Gina Rinehart and Andrew Forrest are on the opposite ends of the climate debate. Credit: Marija Ercegovac

Watermelon isn’t just a fruit, it is also a derogatory term for climate activists who are seen as having left-wing goals, meaning they are “green on the outside” (environmentalism) but “red on the inside” (socialism).

Rinehart, whose views may be invigorated by having a like-minded Donald Trump in power, isn’t taking any green prisoners.

She used a rousing speech over the weekend (delivered by one of her managers........

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