Commercially driven social benefit: a structured approach to Aboriginal engagement

Abstract

Most corporate approaches to engagement with Aboriginal Australians are determined by a tension between two poles: seeking access by minimal legal compliance or a form of enlightened charity known as corporate social responsibility which, in turn, is driven by a tension between the simple concept of charity and seeking a social licence to operate. Obviously companies require both legal access and a social licence to operate. The Santos model of Aboriginal engagement proposes community driven commerciality through a structured process that seeks to manage project risk in terms of cost, delay and legal action. Importantly, Aboriginal engagement at Santos is about development of sustainable relations with Aboriginal communities and to contribute to those communities to, in turn, becoming sustainable. Projects and legal compliance provide an opportunity for Aboriginal people and companies to sit at the table together. The development of the project to the operation phase allows the company and the community to plan for, and achieve sustainability in a mutually beneficial manner.