The SA Greens have tabled a petition of over 8000 signatures calling for an end to the Santos partnership with the Tour Down Under, renewing their call amid strong community outcry against the fossil fuel company’s association with the cycling event.
Quotes attributable to Tammy Franks MLC:
Santos currently faces claims of ‘greenwashing’ in the Federal Court and, according to the 8,000+ signatories, should not be allowed to launder its reputation through South Australia’s premier cycling event.
This petition is clear. Cyclists, spectators, and citizens do not want a clean green cycle race being used to sportswash Santos’ climate damaging business model and soiling South Australia’s reputation.”
South Australia is a laughing stock around the world currently. You would never hear the ‘Chevron Tour de France’ or ‘The Shell Giro’ yet we allow Santos to sportswash, unchallenged.
South Australia has a proud reputation as a leader in the transition to clean, renewable energy, but leadership also means saying no to greenwashing sponsorship deals from fossil fuel companies. You have to wonder how this bid for tourism and brand name building for our State plays out to those who will see this greenwashing and sportswashing for what it is.