Woodside boss defends Docker sponsorship

Woodside boss Meg O'Neill has doubled down on her defence of the oil and gas giant’s sponsorship of the Fremantle Dockers amid re-negotiations.

The chief executive told an audience at Business News’ event this morning that when Woodside partners with an organisation, it intends to be partners for the long-term.

Ms O’Neill said Woodside’s “proud” relationship with the AFL club was much deeper than just writing a cheque and getting its name on a jumper.

It follows building pressure from climate activists for the Dockers to dump its believed to be $2 million deal with Woodside ahead of the sponsorship's renewal date at the end of October.

On Monday, the Australian Conservation Foundation delivered petition with 8,000 signatures to the club, calling for the Dockers to cut ties with Woodside on the basis of its fossil fuel emissions and project pipeline.

“Look, we’re in commercial discussions so I won’t talk about where we’re headed but It’s a relationship that we value, it’s a relationship that we’ve spent a lot of time developing,” Ms O’Neill said at a Business News event this morning.

“If you look at Woodside’s partnership history, be it with organisations like the Australian Institute of Marine Science, the Fremantle Dockers or Surf Life Saving, when we decide to partner with an organisation in the community, we do it with the intention of being partners for the long-term.

“So, I’ll leave the contractual discussion there, but we really do look forward to supporting the Dockers, both the men and women’s programs, I think it’s a tremendous club and I think the values of the two organisations are actually well aligned which is part of why the partnership is so successful over so many years.”

Woodside has been a major sponsor of the Fremantle Football Club since the 2010 season and has backed both its AFL and AFLW teams.

Bankwest is the Docker's other co-major sponsor, having signed the deal in October for "the next four seasons," according to the statement at the time. 

A Fremantle Football Club spokesperson reiterated the club's stance on the topic and said an outcome would be determined towards the end of the year. 

“The club’s partnership with Woodside runs until the end of 2023 and what it looks like beyond that is yet to be determined,” they said.

“The duty of the board and executive is to listen to stakeholders, give things due consideration, maintain balance and make the best decision for the club, at the right time.  

“Once a decision is reached, we will communicate it with our members and partners accordingly.”