GOMEROI VOICES RAISE CONCERNS OVER SANTOS AND KOORI KNOCKOUT LINKS

BY AMBER SAGGERS-NEPE

"A week before this year’s Knockout, we were in Tamworth for a Gomeroi Native Title meeting. There was a heavy atmosphere, people were really upset by what they’d seen online: a statement suggesting that Santos was sponsoring the 2025 Koori Knockout. After everything we’ve been through, all the fighting, the legal battles, the protests, it felt like a big slap in the face."

Ms Hickey said phone calls were made from the Native Title meeting directly to Santos, demanding answers.

"I received a call back from a woman named Tracy at the Santos office. She told me that Santos was not sponsoring the Knockout. I also spoke with George Rose, who confirmed that the Knockout did not accept sponsorship from Santos."

While Ms Hickey said this was reassuring, she remains concerned:

"Neither Santos nor the Knockout organisers put out an official public statement to confirm this. That’s what’s worrying. People are hearing different things. Some people at the Knockout said Santos even had a stall set up there. So I believe what George told me, but without something written down, it leaves us confused and unsettled."

Moving Forward, Ms Hickey’s Message to Community is "We need to be very careful about who we accept sponsorship from — especially mining and gas companies. These are the same companies we’ve been fighting in court for years. They want to drill into our Country, pollute our water, and disrespect our rights.

Even government departments like DCJ, who take our children, need to be questioned when they show up offering support or sponsorship. Our communities have to do the research. Ask who these companies are. Ask what their history is with First Nations people.

We have to protect the integrity of our events, our culture, and our Country. No sponsorship is worth selling out our future."

Ms Hickey also reminded everyone that the fight against Santos in the Pilliga is the longest-running Native Title case in Australian history — and that the strength of that resistance must not be undermined by corporate branding or silent deals.

Listen to Ngaarda Media’s interview with Nessa Hickey