Netball Australia says it remains unclear why Gina Rinehart's mining company Hancock Prospecting suddenly pulled its multimillion-dollar sponsorship on Saturday, despite being able to deliver on their contractual arrangements.
The four-year deal required Netball Australia to position Hancock company signage at match venues and the Hancock logo on the uniform of the Diamonds players, both of which were guaranteed late last Friday after 'breaking' the resolve of First Nations player Donnell Wallam.
The Noongar woman, only the third First Nations player in the Diamonds' 95-year history, had sought an exemption from wearing the logo because of the triggering nature of wearing on her chest the name of the man who founded the company and advocated the genocide of 'problem' Indigenous people.
Wallam attended a series of meetings over three days, including one where First Nations people who received funding from some of Hancock's programs – including sport — were invited in an attempt to convince her of the benefits of accepting sponsorship from the company.
During the week, every sports organisation that is sponsored by Hancock, with the exception of the Australian Olympic Committee, published statements praising their relationship with the Hancock company and its chair.
The first statement was from Volleyball Australia chair Craig Carracher, with others following shortly after.
On the afternoon of Friday, October 21, The Ticket sent a series of questions to Hancock Prospecting requesting answers with a deadline of midday Saturday, October 22.
At one minute to midday, a return email arrived with an attached statement that had been published on the Hancock website titled, 'Hancock statement on recent media'.
At the same time, a separate statement was published on the company website announcing Hancock had "regrettably" withdrawn its support of Netball.
A few minutes later, The Courier-Mail and West Australian news websites hit their publish button, making the sponsorship withdrawal public.
What were the questions, and what are the answers?
The statement did not address each question specifically, but it is clear which parts of the statement refer to which questions:
Question 1: Did Hancock Prospecting ever request Swimming Australia to take off an acknowledgement of country at the bottom of their correspondence and documents?
Question 2: Did Hancock Prospecting ever ask Swimming Australia to remove a social media post acknowledging Pride Week?
"Hancock and its Executive Chairman Mrs Rinehart, consider that it is unnecessary for sports organisations to be used as the vehicle for social or political causes."
Question 3: Did Hancock Prospecting ask sports bodies it sponsors to publish public statements of support for Hancock Prospecting and Gina Rinehart on their websites this week?
Question 4: Did Hancock Prospecting this past week ask bodies it funds (through numerous programs, not limited to sport) to send First Nations people to a meeting with netballer Donnell Wallam to explain to her the good work Hancock Prospecting and Gina Rinehart does with regard to Indigenous people?
"…there are more targeted and genuine ways to progress social or political causes without virtue signalling or for self-publicity. For example, the meaningful engagement with local indigenous communities undertaken by Hancock's Roy Hill Community Foundation in West Australia to support their actual needs.
"…there are more impactful means to make a beneficial difference. For example, Hancock's holistic support for real programs including Hanrine Futures – that are providing a true pathway for indigenous students through education and into employment where they are guaranteed a job should they wish, at the end of their training."
Question 5: Does Hancock Prospecting ask sports bodies it sponsors, to forward videos of athletes personally thanking Gina Rinehart?
"Neither Hancock nor Mrs Rinehart have ever requested or insisted that athletes provide any thank you videos or messages – although thank you videos and messages have certainly been received."
Question 6: Did Hancock Prospecting tell Netball Australia that under no circumstances would it consider an exemption allowing Ms Wallam not to wear the Hancock logo on her team uniform?
"Hancock and Mrs Rinehart would only ever want athletes to wear the Hancock logo if the athletes were proud to do so. Recent media misreporting has been disappointing, particularly given at no stage did Hancock insist its logo be worn on the Australian Diamonds' playing dress for the recent games in New Zealand, nor did the Australian Diamonds refuse to wear the Hancock logo."
Question 7: Given Hancock Prospecting and Gina Rinehart's sponsorship of sport and athletes, and the funding of numerous indigenous education, media and work programs, why doesn't she just declare she does not share the same values as her father who founded the Hancock company and suggested Indigenous people be bred out?
Nothing in the statement appears to directly address this question.
As Australia's largest privately owned company, Hancock Prospecting and its subsidiaries are free to choose with whom they want to do business.
In a world where professional athletes are unionised and are more able to use their leverage as role models and brand ambassadors, they also have a right to decide with whom they'd like to do business.
Given Netball Australia's own 'declaration of commitment' to listen, learn and engage with First Nations people to improve their own historical shortcomings, this was an opportunity for the sport to find a partner that was on 'the same page', so to speak.
Gina Rinehart's Hancock Prospecting had the perfect opportunity to be that partner, but ultimately chose not to.
