Bianca Rinehart threatened, intimidated by mother Gina over family trust feud, court hears (ABC)

View Comments

Bianca Rinehart, daughter of mining billionaire Gina Rinehart, has been threatened and intimidated by her mother since a feud over a family trust began, a Sydney court has heard.

Ms Rinehart has faced Sydney's Supreme Court to argue why she should be allowed to take control of a $5 billion family trust.

Mrs Rinehart stepped aside as trustee in late 2013 and a civil case is trying to determine whether a family member or an outsider should take her place.

Before the magnate stepped aside, three of her children - John Hancock, Bianca Rinehart and Hope Welker - accused her of misconduct by changing the date they could access their trust money without telling them.

Ms Welker has since pulled out of a civil case brought against her, after reaching a private agreement with her mother.

Bianca Rinehart is the first family member to give evidence in court since the case was lodged three years ago.

The Supreme Court heard Bianca had the best interests of the beneficiaries at heart and had the support of her brother, John, for the role.

Lineal Hancock descendent 'must control the trust'

Her barrister, Christopher Withers, also argued that under an arrangement between the family company Hancock Prospecting and mining giant Rio Tinto, a lineal descendent must control the trust.

Ms Rinehart is a lineal descendent, he said.

Mr Withers said the threats and intimidation Ms Rinehart had withstood from her mother indicated she had "the strength of character " required for the job.

The youngest Rinehart child, Ginia, has always sided with her mother and continues to oppose Ms Rinehart becoming trustee.

Both Mrs Rinehart and Ginia want an independent trustee to be appointed.

Under questioning from Ginia's lawyer, Ms Rinehart admitted she may have in the past referred to her brother, John Hancock, as an idiot, but qualified the remark by saying she did not always agree with everything he said.

Ms Rinehart struggled to recall if she had told her mother that Mr Hancock had a desire for money and fame

She admitted changing her mind several times about nominating herself as trustee over the past few years, but said she was now committed to taking on the role.

Bianca said she would feel "empowered" to run the trust, despite the stress it might bring.

"I'm here today and I'm prepared to act as trustee," she said.

Her evidence continues.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/latest/24307660/bianca-rinehart-threatened-intimidated-by-mother-gina-over-family-trust-feud-court-hears/