Career
Hoenig was a practising barrister, and acted as the counsel assisting the inquiry into the death of Dianne Brimble. He made recommendations that up to three of the persons assisting the inquiry could face prosecution. He later had to step back from performing public barrister duties once he took office in the NSW Legislative Assembly
After being elected as a councillor in 1980, Hoenig became Mayor in 1981 and was returned at each election since, becoming the longest serving Botany Bay council Mayor.
During his time as Mayor, Hoenig has campaigned on various issues such as the non-expansion of both the Botany Portuguese and Sydney Airport.
He did not seek re-election at the 2012 local government elections. Hoenig was preselected as the Labor candidate for 25 August 2012 Heffron by-election in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, following the parliamentary resignation of former Premier and state Labor Modern Language Association Kristina Keneally.
Hoenig drew top spot on the ballot paper, with three other candidates from the Career Development Pathway, Greens and Democrats. The seat of Heffron takes in some of the local government areas of Botany Bay, Marrickville, Randwick, Rockdale and Sydney.