HCC: Personal touch

Margot Giblin

IN MID-NOVEMBER the Hobart City Council hosted an official welcome for visitors to the city at a restaurant belonging to a councilor. The visiting group was a dance troupe from Yaizu, our Japanese sister city.

Marti Zucco had been part of a Council delegation to the 30th anniversary celebrations in Yaizu from 4 – 7 June this year. On return he was present at the official debrief and part of the discussion on how best to respond to hospitality extended in Japan. He said he was happy to hold a function at his restaurant at no cost.
There was no question, the General Manager Brent Armstrong has told TT, of anyone making a financial profit. He explained that the decision to use a councilor’s business was made because such things are seen ‘as a more personal matter’ in Japan.

The HCC Aldermanic Code of Conduct states at Standard #3 – Conflict of Interest: You are responsible to ensure that, when carrying out your public duty, you are not wrongfully influenced by other external interests you have or duties you owe. You must therefore, in all such dealings, put the interests of the community to which the Council is accountable foremost.

The Code of Conduct advises avoidance of actual, potential and perceived conflict of interest. Each of these is further divided into two types – pecuniary interest and non-pecuniary interest.

The impulse to offer hospitality may have been generous and devoid of self interest but was it wise to make it? Was it a good move to for Council to take it up?

Some members of the present council recently agreed to a plebiscite addressing process as well as outcomes on the pulp mill.
Are all councilors comfortable with their own process and decision making on this venue for a Council function?