He was the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland and the Labor member for Logan until the 2012 election.

In 1979, he joined the Labor Party and was an adviser to federal MP David Beddall.

He served in Beattie's initial Cabinet as Environment Minister in 2004,[1] but was transferred to Energy in August of that year.

[2] In March 2005, he added the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Policy portfolio.

[4] When Anna Bligh replaced Beattie as Premier, Mickel's portfolio was altered, becoming Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations.