Friday 10 April 2015

Coal Seam Gas miner Santos still under the spotlight concerning sponsorship of Queensland Police


The debate on mining company sponsorship of Queensland Police continues......

Photograph showing Queensland Police vehicles attending NSW Pilliga protest
 against Santos CSG drilling: ABC News 7 April 2015


ABC News 7 April 2015:

The fact that the police refused to name the sponsors, indicates that the police hierarchy know they have a vulnerability.
President of the Australian Council for Civil Liberties Terry O'Gorman

Queensland Police Commissioner Ian Stewart says he is standing by his decision not to release the names of private companies who have sponsored the police service.

Mining companies, banks, media organisations and security firms are among a raft of sponsors behind almost $475,000 in donations to the Queensland Police Service last financial year.

The donations for this financial year are on track to reach the same level.
The ABC first asked for a list of sponsors and the sponsorship amounts four months ago, after environmentalists alleged it was a conflict of interest.

The QPS executive has now provided two lists of donations and a brief description of the programs, but the names have been withheld.

Speaking on 612 ABC Brisbane this afternoon, Commissioner Stewart said the sponsorship arrangements were within the official policy and were a benefit to both the community and the sponsors......

BACKGROUND

The Courier Mail 9 December 2014:
Santos said there was nothing untoward in the sponsorship deal, in which the vehicles attend public functions like caravan and camping shows.
A Santos GLNG spokesman said the claims were ridiculous.
“This is just one of our many investments that contribute to safety in regional Queensland, which also include the CareFlight aeromedical evacuation service used by the general community, the Rural Fire Service, the Royal Flying Doctor Service, and road upgrade programs,’’ he said.
“We have been supporting the Stay On Track Outback safe driving campaign since 2012.

ABC News 8 December 2014:

Queensland Police Commissioner Ian Stewart said Santos was one of a string of sponsors for the campaign, aimed at tourists with caravans on remote roads.
Mr Stewart said Santos had contributed about $40,000 to the program.

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