In 1998, John Mickel was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Queensland as the Labor member for Logan. He was a minister in various portfolios from 2004 to 2009. He served in Beattie's initial Cabinet as Environment Minister in 2004, but was transferred to Energy in August of that year. In March 2005, he added the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Policy portfolio. In September 2006, he became Minister for State Development, Industrial Relations and Employment. When Anna Bligh replaced Beattie as Premier, Mickel's portfolio was altered, becoming Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations.He was elected Speaker when the Legislative Assembly convened in April 2009. He did not contest his seat at the 2012 election.
He is currently a strategic advisor to Access Community Services.