Kerry Hickey

He was Minister for Mineral Resources from April 2003 to August 2005, and was Minister for Local Government between 2005 and 2007.^[1]

On 7 November 2006, he admitted to having been fined four times in recent years for speeding:^[2]

• $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 (9.3 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. Like any other motorist, no one is above the law, whether you are a minister, a member of Parliament or a member of the general public. He has apologised, I've accepted that. Is it a sackable offence? No, but I am very disappointed that it has happened. He's suffering public humiliation as a result.^[2]

In an interview with the Newcastle Herald, published on 10 July 2010, Hickey claimed that he was not the father of a child born in February 2009 to an unnamed parliamentary staff member.^[3] 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.^[4] Hickey's initial claims were made in order to protect the mother's career and his family.^[5]

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.^[6]

• Speeches in Hansard by Kerry Hickey Archived 16 June 2009 at the Wayback Machine