Career
Prior to entering politics, Hickey was a metal fabricator prior to 1982 and subsequently he was a milk vendor. In 1981 he was elected as a Councillor of the City of Cessnock. He was Minister for Mineral Resources from April 2003 to August 2005, and was Minister for Local Government between 2005 and 2007.
On 7 November 2006, he admitted to having been fined four times in recent years for speeding:
$590 in October 2006 for being more than 30 kilometres per hour (19 mph) over the limit
$225 in August 2005 for being more than 15 kilometres per hour (93 mph) over the limit
$127 in 2003
$118 in 2002
The Premier, Morris Iemma resisted calls to sack him as result.
He was quoted as saying:
I"m disappointed that it happened. He has apologised, I"ve accepted that.
Is it a sackable offence? Number, but I am very disappointed that it has happened. He"s suffering public humiliation as a result.
A month later, on further questioning by the media, Hickey admitted that he had lied about his relationship with the parliamentary staff member and admitted that the 18-month-old child was his.
In a dramatic day of lying about his relationship, Hickey initially decided to resign, but after speaking with the Premier Kristina Keneally, he issued a statement stating that he would be seeking re-election. Hickey"s initial claims were made in order to protect the mother"s career and his family. Under mounting political and personal pressure, on 6 September 2010 Hickey announced his decision to not seek re-election at the 2011 state election, citing personal reasons.