Santos is among a number of resource companies that have donated significant amounts of money to support flood relief efforts in both Queensland and New South Wales.
The company has announced it is putting $250,000 to volunteer organisations, the State Emergency Service in Queensland and $100,000 to the Volunteer Rescue Association in New South Wales.
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Santos managing director and CEO Kevin Gallagher said the company had a long history of supporting communities where the company operates.
"There are thousands of people in need across both Queensland and New South Wales right now after catastrophic flooding, and we want to lend a helping hand," Mr Gallagher said.
"We know there is a huge amount of clean up and relief work currently underway and most of that work is being managed by volunteer organisations.
He said a number of Santos staff were among those either directly or indirectly impacted, and many were assisting with the relief efforts.
Mr Gallagher said volunteering made a vital contribution to local communities and the Australian way of life, reflecting the mateship that Australians are known for all over the world.
"We are pleased to donate $250,000 to volunteer organisations, whose values reflect our own," Mr Gallagher said.
Queensland Resources Minister Scott Stewart told parliament last week that the sector had responded to calls for help and was pitching in to help the state recover.
He said Glencore would be donating $2 million to the Salvation Army Flood Appeal, assisting recovery efforts in Queensland and in New South Wales alike.
That donation alone makes up one-fifth of the appeal target of $10 million.
The BHP Foundation is also donating $2 million to support emergency relief efforts, and Rio Tinto is putting forward $1.5 million.
Some $750,000 of this will go to the Red Cross floods appeal, $500,000 will support disaster-affected small and local businesses and $250,000 will buy essential items for flood victims.
Rio Tinto will also match employee donations dollar for dollar.
Anglo American has donated $1 million, split evenly between the Queensland SES and the Red Cross appeal.
Meanwhile, Shell will be donating $750,000 to the Red Cross.
South32 is putting forward $500,000, split evenly between the Red Cross and Salvation Army appeals.
Newcrest Mining is donating $150,000 to the Red Cross appeal and will match a further $100,000 in employee donations.
Origin Energy has put $100,000 towards supporting flood effected small businesses, while Senex has committed $30,000, including $10,000 from its own employees, and Denison Gas has contributed $20,000.
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"There have been more than just cash donations," Mr Stewart said. "Employees from Theiss rolled up their sleeves, creating their own mud army to clean up homes in Ipswich and to cook hot meals for residents."
He added that more resources companies were donating each day.
"The measures taken by these companies show their commitment to helping out those in need.
"It embodies the Queensland spirit, and I thank them for it.
Mr Stewart said the resources sector was creating jobs and contributing royalties that help build and, in light of the floods, rebuild Queensland's infrastructure.
"As we emerge from COVID-19 and the floods, the resources industry will be a vital pillar of the Palaszczuk government's plan for economic recovery," he said.
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Sally Gall
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications.
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications.
