DISPUTE OVER SANTOS SPONSORSHIP AT KOORI KNOCKOUT

By Tangiora Hinaki

The involvement of gas giant Santos as a sponsor of this year’s Koori Knockout has sparked division within the Gomeroi community, with respected elder Auntie Polly Cutmore calling it a “betrayal” and Tamworth councillor Marc Sutherland defending the council’s role.

Auntie Polly, a long-time campaigner against Santos’ Pilliga gas project, says the sponsorship undermines the community’s opposition to more than 800 proposed gas wells on Gomeroi Country.

“I’m not only angry at Santos. I’m angry at the so-called Gomeroi men who are allowing this to happen,” she said.
“We’re currently in court to stop Santos from mining 850 wells across Gomeroi Country … Meanwhile, these men are welcoming Santos into our communities for a three-day football carnival. That’s a betrayal.”

She said the Gomeroi Nation has been clear in its position.

“At our nation meeting, 162 Gomeroi people said ‘No’ to Santos. Not one of these football organisers or councillors was there,” she said.
“They’ve shown no respect to the Gomeroi people. At our nation meeting we voted clearly for Santos to leave our Country.”

The Federal Court previously sided with Gomeroi Traditional Owners, but Santos appealed the decision. The case is now back before the National Native Title Tribunal in Queensland.

Tamworth councillor Marc Sutherland, who was named by Auntie Polly in her criticism, rejected suggestions that council brought Santos into the Knockout.

“As a council and as councillors, we’ve had no involvement in bringing Santos to Tamworth,” he said.
“When the Knockout is won, the winning team is responsible for hosting the next year’s event. After WAC won last year, they approached councils to help with logistics — things like preparing fields, fencing, and car parks. We committed about $200,000 in in-kind costs because the Knockout is expected to bring about $15 million into our local economy. We haven’t been involved in sponsorship decisions at all.”

While distancing himself from Santos’ role, Sutherland emphasised his own opposition to mining on Gomeroi Country.

“Country is sacred, and I’ve personally never accepted money from mining companies,” he said.
“I don’t support Santos being a sponsor, but my role as councillor is about making sure the Knockout brings cultural and economic positives to Tamworth.”

Auntie Polly, who served as vice-chairperson of the Knockout in the 1990s, said she would support the event again if Santos’s sponsorship is rejected and it is returned to grassroots community control.

“Yes, I would — but only if it’s returned to the community. Right now it’s about money, elites, and outsiders. It’s no longer building up our communities.”

The Koori Knockout, one of the largest gatherings of Aboriginal people in the country, is expected to inject millions into the Tamworth region this year. However, for many Gomeroi Traditional Owners, the debate over Santos’ involvement highlights a deeper conflict — one that extends beyond football fields to the future of their Country.

Ngaarda Media has reached out to the Walgett Aboriginal Connection and through the Koori Knockout Facebook Messenger for comment.