Bad Taste: Marti Zucco resigns from the Libs

Dear Will,

As you are well aware, a number of long term hard working committed Liberal party members wanted me to join the party with intent to win two seats in Denison

Before I joined the Liberal party my first point of call was to speak to the leader and leadership group.

I spoke to you in your office about this and our discussion was very positive to the point you wholeheartedly agreed that I would assist the party in winning two seats in Denison. In fact you made the point that I would outpoll Elise Archer. Hence the reasons why I joined the party, as you said I had your support.

What is also fact is the media was also suggesting that it was time the party looked outside the square, etc. etc.

Which brings me to the reason behind this email; the media is rife with accusations there is elitism and favoritism in the party. This not far off the mark, but the concern is why and how this happens and in particular how it creates the problems for you and that is the part which is most disturbing. The sad thing is it is at the expense of genuine hard working potential candidates and members who are genuinely interested in making a difference than those over ambitious, self interested candidates who would rather work against the team for their own interest.

I have been associated with many organisations in my time, played team sports for years, and even in the political world of Local government, I have never experienced the lack of team work in an organization such as the Tasmanian Liberal party. I have seen it and witnessed it and felt the brunt of it.

The question I ask is WHY? Well today I have finally found that reason – lack of backbone and lack of real leadership! What is it that you afraid of Will? That if you show some real backbone and leadership you will be criticised from “others” in the party? Well those same very people may just cast you aside should you not win the election and you will be the blame!

Either you have your head in the sand or just don’t want to listen; but the world I live in and the many people I see every day have one common comment – you’re a very poor leader. If you are not aware of this then you definitely do have your head in the sand!

You had an opportunity to have two very hard working committed candidates in Marti Zucco and Sue Hickey.

As to me you failed to show any support even though the whole unfortunate situation was initiated by another potential candidate.

With Sue Hickey you could have assisted her in her situation but failed to do so.

But when it comes to others you also show poor leadership and don’t act. The incident at the Taste Festival was totally uncalled for and you should have acted and shown leadership with the immediate sacking of that candidate. Irrespective of what was said and who did or said what. The mere fact that a Liberal Party candidate made an approach to a former candidate was enough. But you failed – again I ask the question why?

On the basis that you have shown me that you favor certain people in the party for whatever reason I am appalled.

You made an unwarranted and unjustified reference to me having an association with a biker group. Irrespective of how we all perceive a biker group or other groups they do have one thing that is a code of ethics and support each other through its leaders. The Liberal party philosophy is a farce and the party has no ethics and no real leadership. I would go and fight behind John Freeman any day but cannot and will not with you.

In closing I attach a copy of how I best describe The “Bad Taste debacle” and also an incident that happened to me at pre-selection that I have not mentioned before. Why? As most likely I would not have been believed. Now maybe I will be.

Despite all the antics of these people the emails and the “complaint” in which I have as yet NOT received a copy (and as you are a lawyer and also know the Liberal Party constitution), then this must be the worst case of injustice I know and for “others” to cry foul with the Lord Mayor carrying out his duty under the act (with the taste incident) is hypocrisy, especially considering I have never received a copy of the complaint to the Liberal party some 13 months on.

Sorry Will, I cannot support you and nor the Party. I will not wish you well in the election as you have been given enough opportunity to show me leadership and you have failed time and time again. The Sue Hickey incident was the last straw.

In saying that I am informing you that I am resigning from the party and the reasons are you have not shown to me you are a person worthy to lead the party nor the State.

Regards,

Marti Zucco

PS I also suggest you go to the web site below and read my attachment

PPS. The video says a lot!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJkeKGG33DY

What Marty Zucco says about the bad Taste incident

A lot is being said about the Elise Archer/Sue Hickey affair but, in the first instance, what really needs to be established is why did all this happen and who may be at fault!

Firstly I would point out that I deliberately did not make any comment during the Taste Festival as the issue had caused enough adverse publicity during a very important event on the Council calendar.

As Chairman my focus was the job at hand “the Taste Festival”.

I would like to now make some comment about this whole unfortunate incident that no doubt the Archers regret.

If I was to direct blame, I would direct it at Elise’s Campaign Manager/husband, Dale Archer, as he should have advised Elise that it would be inappropriate to discuss the matter of concern at a Council event being the opening of the Taste Festival. No doubt if he could go back in time he may well give that advice.

Secondly, Elise should not have approached a sponsor (Sue Hickey) at a Council function and mix her (Liberal Denison) political ambitions with her Council role as a member of the Festivals and Tourism Committee and Alderman.

Elise’s Campaign Manager should have advised his candidate that it was inappropriate to approach a sponsor as she was on official Council duties (irrespectively) and that Hickey was a guest at the Council event.

So what do we end up with? A massive media frenzy which was all about a comment made about lawyers? I say this, “Who cares about the comments made about lawyers?” It is not the first time that these comments have been made in the media. So why was it so important to make any point to Sue Hickey at the Council event? Who knows, but no doubt many will have opinion, as I have my personal theory knowing the Archers.

I will repeat this, “Why was it so important for Elise Archer to make a point to Sue Hickey when the ‘Lawyer in Politics’ statement has been made time and time again?”

So what do we have? Where is it all at? Irrespective of whose version on the story is right …and we all know about story telling…. Who is playing politics? Who is in each others camp!

I really would like to look at real facts and not any hearsay, so here goes.

Facts (at the Council event)
Ald Archer approaches a guest sponsor Sue Hickey (irrespective of the reason)
Discussion happens and a disagreement erupts
Ald Burnett intervenes
Dale Archer intervenes
Accusations fly (both ways)
Witnesses present

Facts (after the Council event)
Media frenzy
Sue Hickey demands apology
Will Hodgman intervenes
Elise Archer apologies and also does on behalf Dale Archer
Media frenzy escalates
Ald Burnett writes to Archer seeking apology
Lord Mayor writes to Archer seeking apology
Media frenzy
Archer hits back at Lord mayor and cries “unfair justice”
Other Alderman become involved in particular Ald Briscoe supports and calls it Politics

So where are we at now and why?

I look at it this way. A number of issues are here that provide the answer to us all without even caring about whose story is the so called “Truth”

Archer should not have approached Sue Hickey (a sponsor) at the Council event in the first instance. All Aldermen who were at the event to welcome sponsors and not make them feel unwelcome.

a. This in itself is very unprofessional on the part of Alderman Elise Archer for mixing her role as an Alderman (what she was at the event for) with her political ambitions. Dale Archer should have informed Elise about that very thing and advised her as such. Elise should have contacted Sue Hickey to discuss matters at the appropriate time and place.
b. A Hobart City Council Sponsors event was not the appropriate place to discuss “Denison Liberal Party” issues as Elise was representing Council at that point in time
c. So mistake number one on the Archers part. Hence it is irrelevant who said or did what, as it was that very action that created the fiasco in the first instance.

Media frenzy erupts. Sue Hickey seeks an apology and Will Hodgman demanding Elise Archer to apologise.
d. Now we can all assume all we want as to why the Liberal Leader demanded Elise Archer to apologise.
i. That would no doubt raise other questions as to who said, he said, and she said, but the fact is an apology was asked for and given by Elise Archer to Sue Hickey.
ii. So another fact! Elise Archer did apologise to Sue Hickey and also did on behalf of Husband/Campaign manager Dale Archer
iii. Let’s reflect; an apology was given to Sue Hickey from the Archers who were the instigators and made the approach in the first instance so the matter could have been laid to rest. So did that shut down the media frenzy? No… it grew further.

What we also have to understand is that witnesses were present and what did happen when Ald Burnett intervened? Now that is what the latest media frenzy is about.
e. The Lord Mayor has written to Elise Archer (now what is in the letter we do not know). Elise is critical of that and claiming (denial of natural justice; a little more on natural justice later).
f. We have Ald Briscoe claiming that The Lord Mayor and Ald Burnett are playing politics.
i. I have been looking at this mess with intent of knowing the facts and not about he said, she said, or who is claiming to be telling the “truth”.
ii. Now as for Ald Briscoe’s “support of Elise Archer” and his criticism of Valentine and Burnett bemuses me to the extent that Ald Briscoe was not at the event, nor not seen the letter and may not have been aware that the Lord Mayor had received an “official” complaint on the incident.
iii. Fact; Briscoe should have not become involved on the basis that he is a supporter of Archer (and a little more on that later).The other fact about Ald Briscoe he is also a lawyer and maybe should know and have know better than to intervene.
iv. If the Lord Mayor has received a complaint then the Lord Mayor must act on that complaint and Ald Briscoe is well aware of that process under the Local Government Act. So how on earth is the Lord Mayor playing politics if he is following the process of the Local Government Act?
v. Let’s look at the facts (again) Ald Briscoe is a member of the Liberal party, was on the pre-selection panel, and a staunch supporter of Elise Archer. This can easily be confirmed with the fact that he has “Vote 1 Elise Archer” prominent on his car. Who is playing politics? Work it out for yourself!
vi. The other point is Ald Briscoe was not present at the event and making a judgment on the Lord Mayor favoring labor and greens is totally outrageous if the “facts” prove that an “official” complaint has been lodged.
vii. The Lord Mayor is in his right under the legislation to follow through on a complaint. Ald Briscoe has been associated with complaints in the past is well aware of that process and to criticize the Lord Mayor for doing his job is preposterous and inflaming the situation ultimately fueling the media frenzy (not real smart on Ald Briscoe’s part if the best solution is to bury this unfortunate incident).
viii. The facts are simple – a complaint has been made and the Lord Mayor has acted appropriately in his role as Lord Mayor. I will make this point that its Ald Briscoe’s who is made this into political elitism and favoritism not the Lord Mayor nor Alderman Burnett. It would have been far more appropriate for Ald Briscoe to allow the Lord Mayor to do his job and not fuel the fireworks.
ix. One can ask if the situation was reversed would Ald Briscoe criticize the Lord Mayor if he did not do his job? Those who know Ald Briscoe know the answer. Ald Briscoe should have kept his nose out of this matter as he is totally out of line and in fact playing politics himself.

So we have an almighty mess created by political ambition which brings me to some other related matters that may provide some answers:
g. It is well known that when I became a member of the Liberal Party Elise Archer’s attitude towards me changed dramatically (email facts prove this).
h. My membership was denied because of a complaint from the Archers. Now this is what is so interesting about the complaint from the Archers
i. With the latest media story, Elise is claiming that she has not been afforded natural justice in referring to the fact that she has not received the Lord Mayor’s letter.
ii. I nearly fainted in disbelief in that I am also as yet to receive a copy of Elise Archer’s complaint to the State President of the Liberal party that denied me my initial membership now over 12 months ago. Hmmm one can cry foul play! But if one cries, they should also be able to play the game in the same light. To this day I also have been denied natural justice and have not received a copy of the complaint nearly 13 months later. What does that say?
iii. Furthermore Elise Archer has apologized to Sue Hickey (fact) and has also apologized on behalf of her husband (fact).
iv. In apologizing she has accepted blame for the incident (irrespective of who is right and who is wrong) and in so doing that how can she now claim denial of natural justice when she has admitted fault? This really bemuses me. Can someone please let Elise know she has accepted responsibility for her actions based on her apology she also gave on behalf of her husband?
v. Well my personal view is that she should apologise to the Council as it was her actions that created this whole unpleasant situation. She was acting in her role as Alderman at a Council Sponsors event and confronted a sponsor. Ultimately she has apologized for her actions to Sue Hickey, she is accepting blame, and therefore an apology to Council for her actions is appropriate. Her claim of denial of natural justice is further inflaming the issue.

The above are facts not fiction and not taking any sides as to who said what or what transpired. The facts are Elise archer confronted a sponsor and later apologized – all fact.
Here is my theory to this whole mess and I boil it down to blinded ambition and gloating, with intimidation thrown in and that is at all costs. Why do I say this? I base it on events that happened to me and the treatment at hands of the Archers and others in the Liberal party.

Many would regard me as quite an upfront tough guy. Yes I will stand up for myself.

But the intimidation I was subjected to over a period of 12 months was beyond belief. To the point that when I was finally accepted as a member of the Liberal Party (with legal assistance). I was then denied access to even the simplest information such as an application form for pre selection. I had to fight tooth and nail to get an application for it through my lawyers.

Once I completed it and was accepted it was like walking on egg shells. I even received a warning for letting the media know I was seeking pre-selection. What is strange is that I was brought to task as other candidates had done the same and reported to media that they were standing for pre-selection. When I made the point that other candidates had done the same, including Elise Archer (providing an extract from the mercury article) surprisingly that was shut down. I cannot recall ever having to go through so many obstacles to be a member of an organization and help that organization.

But as for intimidation aspect; this really sticks in my head and I will never forget what happened to me some 5 minutes before I was to present my speech to the Denison pre-selection panel.

What I am about to point out I have not ever released as I felt I would not have been believed. I did inform my close associates and also my campaign manager (on the night this occurred).

So to the intimidation; I was sitting in what was the waiting area for candidates 5 minutes before my speech. I got up and walked through an open doorway into an empty meeting room opposite. I sat down began to read my notes when Elise Archer walked in she was ranting and raving and stated that I was not fit to be a member of the Party and nor fit to represent the Liberal party in Denison and went on and on; I could not believe how much could be said in a very short period of time.

As she was going on and on, I got up and I said, “I did not come chasing you in this room” and began to walk to the door.

She continued with that I was “f##### stupid for even being here for pre-selection nor would I ever get pre-selection”.

At this point I made comment to “leave me alone and not F####### bother as I had not approached her she approached me”.

As I said this I was three steps from the door and Dale Archer walking in and said, “Don’t f###### attack my wife or I will kick your F###### ass”.

I then let rip at him and at this point and also told them both not to bother me and leave me be and informed them I was alone in the meeting room, they had come in and started to abuse me for no reason. This all happened in about 1 to2 minutes

I then walked out went down stairs and had to calm down to refocus and go give my speech in the next few moments. It was the worst intimidation I have ever been subjected to; and that is saying something. I still question in my mind wherever it was a ploy and premeditated to rattle me.

I can go on and on as to the events that continued but the point is that the intimidation and favoritism in the Liberal party is rife and if you are not in the “inner camp” forget about it. Party rules are broken without any recourse for some. I have been contacted by a number of current candidates and also other high profile candidates that have been subjected to party unfairness and understand maybe why many well talented people do not enter the political arena as the very people who should be on the “team” are the ones who you need to be more concerned about.

The opposition should be where the cut throat politics should be aimed at not your team mates. I played team sports for years and never experienced this sort of childish behavior from so called adults and “professionals” running a political party.

In conclusion the whole “Taste” incident would not have occurred if Elise Archer (acting as an Alderman at the time) had not approached a sponsor, Sue Hickey.

Elise Archer should know her role as Alderman and to bring State politics into an official Hobart City Council launch is totally unprofessional. In particular it is the biggest and most important event on the HCC calendar and sponsors are a very important part of making the event happen.

She has apologized so she has accepted blame and she should also do so to the Council and stop making the rest of us feel that she is being crucified as she started the problem all on her own in the first instance.

As for Ald Briscoe, talk about a conflict if interest! It is he who is bringing politics into it. Ald Briscoe should be ashamed as the Lord Mayor has acted appropriately and is totally in the right on this matter.

Everyone knows I have never been afraid to confront Lord Mayor Valentine if I feel he has said or done something that I do not agree with. In this instance he is totally in the right in his actions.

*The Marti Zucco explanation of the Taste incident did not come directly from Marti Zucco. It was sent by two third parties who both – along with several others – received the email and attachment. It was judged to be in the public interest to publish this material. The YouTube video was produced without Marti Zucco’s knowledge. Lindsay Tuffin