Gina Rinehart names John McKillop as new boss of Hancock Agriculture and Kidman and Co

Billionaire Gina Rinehart has appointed agribusiness heavyweight John McKillop to lead her vast agricultural empire, while taking another swipe at burdensome government policies and red tape. Mr McKillop’s role as chief executive of Hancock Agriculture and Kidman and Co will take effect from Monday. Hancock Agriculture is Australia’s second-biggest producer of beef, with 25 properties in its portfolio, of which seven in WA and the Northern Territory are in the process of being sold. In WA, properties retained include the historic Fossil Downs and Liveringa Sattion in the Fitzroy Valley, while Nerrima and Ruby Plains and Sturt Creek are being sold. Mr McKillop fills the position vacated by David Larkin, who abruptly parted ways with Hancock in July after four years. Mr McKillop, who lives in Victoria, has held multiple senior management positions in Australian agribusinesses, including Stanbroke and Elders. Other roles include managing director of Clyde Agriculture and chief executive of Hassad Australia. He is also the independent chair of the Red Meat Advisory Council and has sat on multiple boards for agribusiness companies ranging from innovative technology companies to service providers. Hancock Prospecting chief executive Garry Korte said Mr McKillop had been charged with making its agricultural division the leading agricultural business in the country. Mrs Rinehart, executive chair of Hancock Prospecting, said she looked forward Mr McKillop helping to make the Hancock Agriculture division “even better”, while criticising government policies which hurt the sector. “Agriculture and its associated industries are essential for Australia’s future. It is a major employer, contributes significantly to our country’s revenue and provides food security to our population,” she said. “To allow our industry to flourish we need an environment that welcomes investment, not overburdened by government costs and tape. “I look forward to working with John towards making our agriculture division, even better, whilst also being mindful of government policies that hurt the whole industry and those businesses who depend on our agricultural industry.” Mr McKillop said he was excited to be joining Mrs Rinehart and the teams at Hancock and Kidman. “I have watched the rapid expansion of this business, together with the important improvements (made across the pastoral business to promote sustainability and animal welfare), and what has been achieved is truly outstanding,” he said. “I look forward to working with a chairman and boards that are focused on further growth, who are active with innovation and continuing with industry leading standards in employee safety and animal welfare.”