Palmer, Twiggy, Rinehart all in race for greatness

Andrew 'Twiggy' Forrest's got his eye on a prize bigger than his Pilbara mine: the chance to pip fellow rock kickers Gina Rinehart and Clive Palmer in the race to be labelled one of Australia's National Living Treasures.

The three miners have been short-listed with 97 other notable Australians for just seven openings in the country's list of 100 living legends.

The nominees, released by Women's Day in conjunction with the National Trust of Australia, read like a who's who of The Power Index's most influential individuals with lobbyist Heather Ridout, mini-moguls Lachlan Murdoch and James Packer, thinkers Patrick McGorry and Tim Flannery all making the shortlist.

The National Trust declares on its website that 'treasure' status is granted when somebody accomplishes something outstanding, "swelling the country's consciousness and admiration, pride and acknowledgement". The openings have come up following the deaths of seven Treasures since the list was last updated in 2004.

The Power Index thinks the miners might have a tough job convincing Women's Day readers to jump aboard their bandwagons and vote them in -- especially with competitors like Bert Newton and Angry Anderson in the mix.

The seven new Living Treasures will be announced in March.