Eric Ripper

The Honourable Eric Ripper AM
Leader of the Opposition in Western Australia
In office 23 September 2008 – 23 January 2012
Premier	Colin Barnett
Deputy	Roger Cook
Preceded by	Colin Barnett
Succeeded by	Mark McGowan
Leader of the Western Australian Labor Party
In office 16 September 2008 – 23 January 2012
Preceded by	Alan Carpenter
Succeeded by	Mark McGowan
Member of the Western Australian Parliament for Belmont
In office 4 February 1989 – 9 March 2013
Preceded by	Constituency re-established
Succeeded by	Glenys Godfrey
Member of the Western Australian Parliament for Ascot
In office 19 March 1988 – 4 February 1989
Preceded by	Mal Bryce
Succeeded by	Constituency abolished
Personal details
Born	Eric Stephen Ripper (1951-09-13) 13 September 1951 (age 72) Subiaco, Western Australia
Political party	Labor Party
Spouse	Patricia Y. Pearce ​ ​ (m. 1982, divorced)​
Domestic partner	Ljiljanna Ravlich
Children	2 sons
Relatives	Bob Pearce MP (ex brother-in-law)
Alma mater	University of Western Australia
Profession	Teacher

Eric Stephen Ripper AM (born 13 September 1951) is a retired Australian politician. From 2008 to 2012 he was Leader of the Opposition and leader of the Labor Party in Western Australia.

He grew up on a wheat/sheep farm near Nyabing. Ripper later attended Churchlands Senior High School and the University of Western Australia, from which he received a Bachelor of Arts and a Diploma of Education. Before entering politics, Ripper had a career as a teacher.