Santos has committed millions of dollars to support Indigenous participation by partnering with Indigenous owned companies Black Cat Civil and Origin Construction Group.
The two companies, which are Supply Nation verified, will be contracted for three years for road maintenance and civil services throughout Santos’ Queensland GLNG field operations.
Santos Managing Director and CEO Kevin Gallagher said providing business and job opportunities for Indigenous suppliers was a key focus of the company’s purpose to build a better world.
“At Santos, we are committed to enabling and supporting Indigenous businesses through our extensive supply chain network,” Mr Gallagher said.
“Partnerships with established companies such as Black Cat Civil and Origin Construction Group, allow us to deliver high value employment opportunities and ensure Indigenous suppliers are engaged in our operations.”
In 2022, together Santos and GLNG have spent more than $712 million with Queensland based suppliers and since the Queensland GLNG project began in 2016, $412 million has been paid in state government royalties alone – enough to build eight primary schools.
Santos has focussed on converting Indigenous contractors to permanent roles, enabling a 20 per cent increase in permanent Indigenous employees (from 1.1 per cent of permanent staff in 2021 to 1.4 per cent in 2022).
Director of Black Cat Civil Jai Tomlinson, which has a 35 per cent Indigenous workforce, said the company was proud to partner with Santos.
“For Black Cat Civil it is an opportunity to widen our footprint into the energy sector and partner with an Australian born, leading energy provider that shares our core values,” Mr Tomlinson said.
“I am excited to cement our partnership with Santos and deliver excellence together.”
OCG Director Matthew McMullen said his company had been a consistent and reliable civil partner with Santos for the past five years.
“We have formed great local business relationships within Roma and the surrounding townships. We are excited to have this continue with Santos support,” Mr McMullen said.
“Having well aligned company values has ensured the successful relationship (with Santos) now and into the future.”
Both Black Cat Civil and OCG are verified by Supply Nation, an independent body which verifies companies are Indigenous owned and regularly audited for changes in company structure.
