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RESEARCH ARTICLE (Non peer reviewed)
Contents Vol 51 (Conference Proceedings)

Aboriginal engagement: a key component of project commercial value*

C. Jones
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

Santos.

The APPEA Journal 51(2) 689-689 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ10069
Published: 2011

Abstract

Effective engagement with Aboriginal peoples for project access involves more than cultural understanding and settling the compensation quantum. The GLNG project involved the largest successful Aboriginal agreement-making project in Australian resources sector history. The success was based on a structured approach to Aboriginal engagement that managed project risk in relation to cost, delay and legal action as well as creating an opportunity for Aboriginal communities to create sustainable futures. Key components of the approach include:

  1. Enhanced internal governance; and,

  2. The recognition that project value can be created by effective risk management and non-adversarial negotiation practices.

This paper aims to show how a commercial orientation to Aboriginal engagement, rather than a corporate social responsibility approach, can create substantial project value and deliver significant sustainability outcomes for Aboriginal communities in the project area. The paper will use the GLNG project Aboriginal engagement and agreement-making process to illustrate how enduring value can be achieved for the company and the Aboriginal communities.

Craig Jones is principal adviser of Indigenous affairs at Santos. He has had particular responsibility for the design and implementation of the GLNG Aboriginal engagement strategy that delivered a comprehensive set of agreements with Aboriginal peoples across the footprint of the project.

Craig has worked in Aboriginal engagement for more than 20 years with roles in industry, government, academia and the community sector. He is also engaged in providing negotiation services, mediation training and accreditation in the Pacific—this work has involved training and accrediting in mediation judges of the High Court of the Solomon Islands and judges of the National and Supreme courts of Papua New Guinea.

Craig has had a long-term interest in economic development in rural and regional communities. His most recent interests include the development of effective Aboriginal procurement strategies and the development of businesses owned and run by Aboriginal peoples in the resources sector.