Submission - No More Santos at the Tour Down Under

Dear Premier Malinauskas and Minister Koutsantonis,

I’m an advocate for active transport and cycling, and I’m currently involved in developing a 100‑kilometre cycle trail in the Hunter Valley—the Shiraz to Shore Cycle Trail—which will link the region’s wine country to the Pacific Coast.

The Tour Down Under is a world‑renowned cycling event, and it’s fantastic that South Australia hosts such a celebration of cycling, community, and sustainable transport.

However, Santos—the event’s naming‑rights sponsor—is a major gas company planning three huge new gas projects. Burning gas is a major driver of climate change. Gas is a polluting fossil fuel, and Australia exports most of it as LNG, which has significantly higher carbon emissions than coal once processing and shipping are included.

Santos uses sponsorships like this to greenwash its plans for major fossil fuel expansion. The era of fossil fuel sponsorships is over, and it’s time for the Tour to move on from Santos.

As a cyclist, I’m genuinely disappointed that a major fossil fuel company holds the naming rights to such an iconic event. Australian events should reflect the clean, sustainable future we’re all working toward.

I urge you to end Santos' sponsorship of the Tour Down Under and find a sponsor that aligns with South Australia's clean energy future and values.

I look forward to your response on this important issue.

Yours sincerely,
Alec Roberts
Gateshead (Swansea)
New South Wales 2290