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Kerry Arthur Hickey (born 6 April 1960), a former Australian politician, was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing the electorate of Cessnock between 1999 and 2011 for the Labor Party.[1]
Kerry Hickey | |
|---|---|
| Minister for Local Government | |
| In office 3 August 2005 – 2 April 2007 | |
| Leader | Morris Iemma |
| Preceded by | Tony Kelly |
| Succeeded by | Paul Lynch |
| Minister for Mineral Resources | |
| In office 2 April 2003 – 3 August 2005 | |
| Leader | Bob Carr |
| Preceded by | Eddie Obeid |
| Succeeded by | Ian Macdonald |
| Member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for Cessnock | |
| In office 27 March 1999 – 26 March 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Stan Neilly |
| Succeeded by | Clayton Barr |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Kerry Arthur Hickey 6 April 1960 |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Political party | Labor Party |
| Spouse(s) | Nadine (divorced) Stephanie (2010-present) |
| Children | 5 |
| Occupation | Metal fabricator, milk vendor |
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.[1]
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]
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