Mike Hettinger
Encyclopedia
Mike Hettinger is a Labor
political activist in the Australian Capital Territory
and a candidate for the seat of Molonglo in the 2008 election for the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly
.
In 2004 Hettinger narrowly missed out on election in the seat of Molonglo
for the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly
.
Mike Hettinger's campaign was centered on the need for a "Smarter, Greener Canberra" with a focus on environmental and education issues. Mike is an independent (non factional) member of the Australian Labor Party.
Era Veteran receiving a commendation and award of the US National Defense Service Medal for Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm (1991) and has received the US Air Force Achievement Medal for saving the lives of two Soviet divers (1990), and the Air Force Commendation Medal for supporting launch and on-orbit satellite operations (1987). Mike Hettinger was a strong opponent of the Iraq conflict and campaigned on this with the slogan "Captain Mike opposes the War."
) and holds a Masters of Public Administration (University of Colorado) as well as a Masters in International Relations from the Australian National University
(ANU).
Achievement Medallion for his work on the development of a space industry in Australia (1999). Hettinger is an active member/delegate of the Community and Public Sector Union
(CPSU).
. The campaign was centered on environmental issues an area where Hettinger has a long standing record of activism. Hettinger has been involved in many ACT environmental campaigns such as the Save the Ridge campaign against the Gungahlin Drive Extension
.
Hettinger nominated for the vacancy and despite the fact that in the actual election he received more votes than Andrew Barr
, Barr received more of Quinlan's preferences and was elected. Since then Hettinger has campaigned vigorously against the plan to close ACT public schools. Hettinger was particularly active in the successful campaign to Save Dickson College
. In March 2008 Hettinger was preselected by members of the Australian Labor Party
and was endorsed as one of its candidates for the seat of Molonglo
in the 2008 election for the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly
due to be held on 18 October 2008.
Australian Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
political activist in the Australian Capital Territory
Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory, often abbreviated ACT, is the capital territory of the Commonwealth of Australia and is the smallest self-governing internal territory...
and a candidate for the seat of Molonglo in the 2008 election for the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly
Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly
The Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly is the unicameral legislature of the Australian Capital Territory...
.
In 2004 Hettinger narrowly missed out on election in the seat of Molonglo
Molonglo electorate
The Molonglo electorate is one of the three electorates for the unicameral 17-member Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly. It has seven seats, and is the largest of the electorates in terms of population.-History:...
for the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly
Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly
The Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly is the unicameral legislature of the Australian Capital Territory...
.
Mike Hettinger's campaign was centered on the need for a "Smarter, Greener Canberra" with a focus on environmental and education issues. Mike is an independent (non factional) member of the Australian Labor Party.
Military career
Before emigrating to Australia Mike Hettinger had a distinguished career as an officer in the US Air Force, which included being a Deputy Commander of a satellite tracking station in the Indian Ocean in the lead up to the first Gulf War. He is also a Gulf WarGulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
Era Veteran receiving a commendation and award of the US National Defense Service Medal for Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm (1991) and has received the US Air Force Achievement Medal for saving the lives of two Soviet divers (1990), and the Air Force Commendation Medal for supporting launch and on-orbit satellite operations (1987). Mike Hettinger was a strong opponent of the Iraq conflict and campaigned on this with the slogan "Captain Mike opposes the War."
Education
Hettinger is a trained rocket scientist with a Bachelors Degree in Physics (College of the Holy CrossCollege of the Holy Cross
The College of the Holy Cross is an undergraduate Roman Catholic liberal arts college located in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA...
) and holds a Masters of Public Administration (University of Colorado) as well as a Masters in International Relations from the Australian National University
Australian National University
The Australian National University is a teaching and research university located in the Australian capital, Canberra.As of 2009, the ANU employs 3,945 administrative staff who teach approximately 10,000 undergraduates, and 7,500 postgraduate students...
(ANU).
Public Service career
Mike Hettinger currently works the Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST). He previously has worked in the Australian Space Office and received the Australia DayAustralia Day
Australia Day is the official national day of Australia...
Achievement Medallion for his work on the development of a space industry in Australia (1999). Hettinger is an active member/delegate of the Community and Public Sector Union
Community and Public Sector Union
The Community and Public Sector Union is a national trade union in Australia.- History of The CPSU :...
(CPSU).
2004 Election
Mike Hettinger was seen by many to have run a very strong campaign and he narrowly missed election by less than 300 votes for the seat of MolongloMolonglo electorate
The Molonglo electorate is one of the three electorates for the unicameral 17-member Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly. It has seven seats, and is the largest of the electorates in terms of population.-History:...
. The campaign was centered on environmental issues an area where Hettinger has a long standing record of activism. Hettinger has been involved in many ACT environmental campaigns such as the Save the Ridge campaign against the Gungahlin Drive Extension
Gungahlin Drive Extension
The Gungahlin Drive Extension is a major road project in Canberra, Australia. It is 9 kilometres long and extended the previously existing Gungahlin Drive from the Barton Highway in the district of Gungahlin to the Glenloch Interchange to connect with Parkes Way and the Tuggeranong Parkway. The...
.
Post 2004
In 2006 with the resignation of ACT Treasurer Ted QuinlanTed Quinlan
Edward Andrew John "Ted" Quinlan is an Australian politician. He was an Australian Labor Party member of the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly from 1998 to 2006, representing the district of Molonglo....
Hettinger nominated for the vacancy and despite the fact that in the actual election he received more votes than Andrew Barr
Andrew Barr
Andrew Barr is an Australian politician and Deputy Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory. He has been an Australian Labor Party member for the seat of Molonglo in the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly since 5 April 2006, after being elected on a countback to replace...
, Barr received more of Quinlan's preferences and was elected. Since then Hettinger has campaigned vigorously against the plan to close ACT public schools. Hettinger was particularly active in the successful campaign to Save Dickson College
Dickson College
Dickson College is a two-year secondary college located in the Canberra suburb of Dickson, Australian Capital Territory. It was created in 1976 when Dickson High School closed....
. In March 2008 Hettinger was preselected by members of the Australian Labor Party
Australian Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
and was endorsed as one of its candidates for the seat of Molonglo
Molonglo electorate
The Molonglo electorate is one of the three electorates for the unicameral 17-member Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly. It has seven seats, and is the largest of the electorates in terms of population.-History:...
in the 2008 election for the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly
Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly
The Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly is the unicameral legislature of the Australian Capital Territory...
due to be held on 18 October 2008.