Rio Tinto's iron ore chief, Sam Walsh, was awarded an Order of Australia in the Queen's birthday honours list. The award list is run through the governor general's office and the honour is meant to be non-political.
Executive director and chief executive Iron Ore, Perth
Mr. Walsh is the spearhead of the mining industry's attack against the government's proposed Resource Super Profit Tax or RSPT. His fierce attacks on Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd have been widely publicized.
Formerly from Brighton, the West Australian hero is being recognized for his contribution in doubling Rio's Pilbara iron ore output. IT is also the biggest private employer of the Aboriginal people in Australia.
Mr. Walsh was absolutely delighted about the recognition through the award and felt that it was a valediction of the work that the various communities groups that he worked with. He is also quite concerned about the RSPT and insists that the government needs to rethink it.