Sue Hickey

Last updated

Two days after quitting the Liberal Party, Hickey accused Liberal Senator Eric Abetz in the Tasmanian Parliament of making "slut-shaming" comments on Brittany Higgins, who was allegedly raped by a male staffer in the Federal Parliament in Canberra. She alleged that Abetz told her at a citizenship ceremony in Hobart on March 1:

As for that Higgins girl, anybody so disgustingly drunk who would sleep with anybody could have slept with one of our spies and put the security of the nation at risk. [16]

Hickey also alleged that Abetz told her "not to worry" about the 1988 rape allegation against federal Attorney-General Christian Porter as "the woman is dead and the law will protect [Porter]". Abetz "categorically denied" making the comments and accused Hickey of "trying to destroy the [Liberal] party". Hickey responded in reply to Abetz accusing him of "grubby politics" and that she stood by her statement. [16]

Later on the same day, Premier Peter Gutwein wrote to Prime Minister Scott Morrison, stating that Hickey raised the matter of Abetz's comments with him weeks earlier and requested Morrison to "consider the matters raised". [16]

Deputy Mayor and Mayor of Glenorchy

After losing in the 2021 state election Hickey ran in the 2021 Glenorchy City Council by-elections for mayor and alderman, which were caused by Mayor Kristie Johnston's election to state parliament in the 2021 state election. [15] Hickey was elected as alderman but beaten by Bec Thomas for mayor. [15]

Hickey ran again in the 2022 Tasmanian local elections, was re-elected alderman and was elected deputy mayor of Glenorchy. [17]

Following Mayor Bec Thomas being elected to state parliament in the 2024 Tasmanian Legislative Council periodic election, Hickey became acting mayor. [18] Hickey won the resulting 2024 Glenorchy City Council by-election, becoming mayor of Glenorchy City Council in June 2024. [1]

References

  1. 1 2 "2024 Local government by-elections results". TEC. Tasmanian Electoral Commission. 21 June 2024. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Burgess, Georgie (1 May 2018). "New Speaker Sue Hickey distances herself from Liberal Party in dramatic first day of Parliament". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 Coulter, Ellen; Dunlevie, James (4 May 2018). "Sue Hickey: A Tasmanian Liberal, but not as you know it". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  4. 1 2 3 Howard, Jessica (1 November 2014). "Sue Hickey's successful rise to Lord Mayor of Hobart". The Mercury (Hobart). Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  5. "Photograph - Sue Hickey, Miss Tasmania 1979". Tasmanian Archive and Heritage Office. June 2012. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  6. "About Us". Slick Promotions. Archived from the original on 30 September 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  7. Hickey, Sue (25 August 2014). "Sue Hickey stands for Lord Mayor of Hobart". Tasmanian Times. Archived from the original on 30 October 2014. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  8. "Local council polls: Sue Hickey elected Hobart Lord Mayor over Damon Thomas". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 30 October 2014. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  9. "Susanne Lynette (Sue) Hickey". Members of the Parliament of Tasmania . Retrieved 26 July 2022.
  10. Coulter, Ellen; Whitson, Rhiana (22 May 2018). "Speaker Sue Hickey departs from Liberal script to call for Glenorchy Council's rescue". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  11. "Will Hodgman 'disappointed' after rogue Speaker Sue Hickey votes down Tasmanian Government bill". ABC News. 1 May 2019.
  12. "Sue Hickey's time as a Tasmanian Liberal MP not without controversy". ABC News. 23 March 2021.
  13. "Tasmania's Speaker Hickey quits Liberals". Australian Associated Press . Yahoo News Australia. 22 March 2021. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  14. "Peter Gutwein calls Tasmanian state election for May 1". ABC News. 26 March 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  15. 1 2 3 "Former Tasmanian speaker Sue Hickey fails in bid to become Glenorchy Mayor". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 21 July 2021. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  16. 1 2 3 "Tasmanian Premier calls on PM to 'consider' accusation Eric Abetz 'slut-shamed' Brittany Higgins". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 24 March 2021. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  17. "Local government elections 2022". TEC. Tasmanian Electoral Commission. 1 November 2022. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  18. "Acting Mayor Sue Hickey slams spike in vandalism". Glenorchy City Council. 6 May 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
Sue Hickey
34th Speaker of the Tasmanian House of Assembly
In office
1 May 2018 22 June 2021
Civic offices
Preceded by Lord Mayor of Hobart
2014–2018
Succeeded by
Ron Christie
Preceded by Mayor of Glenorchy
2024–present
Incumbent
Parliament of Tasmania
Preceded by Speaker of the Tasmanian House of Assembly
2018–2021
Succeeded by