Paul Erickson (politician)
Paul Erickson | |
|---|---|
| National Secretary of the Labor Party | |
| Assumed office 16 August 2019 | |
| Assistant | Jen Light |
| National President | Wayne Swan |
| Preceded by | Noah Carroll |
| Assistant National Secretary of the Labor Party | |
| In office 17 April 2014 – 16 August 2019 | |
| National Secretary | Noah Carroll |
| Preceded by | Nick Martin |
| Succeeded by | Jen Light |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Paul Erickson 1983 or 1984 (age 41–42) |
| Party | Labor |
| Domestic partner | Dimity Paul |
| Children | 1 |
| Alma mater | University of Melbourne |
| Occupation |
|
| Website | alp.org.au |
Paul Erickson is an Australian trade unionist and the national secretary of the Australian Labor Party.
Political career
Erickson worked for the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) in research and data.[1] In 2014, he took up the position as assistant national secretary of the Australian Labor Party.[2][1][3] He has also worked in the New South Wales and Victorian state governments, advising several Labor ministers including Peter Batchelor, Richard Wynne and Carmel Tebbutt.[4]
Following the resignation of Noah Carroll in 2019, Erickson was appointed acting national secretary and was appointed to the role permanently on 16 August 2019.[1][5] Erickson is a member of the left faction, and served as convenor of the Socialist Left in Victoria in 2010.[6][1]
As party secretary, Erickson was the national campaign director for Labor in both the 2022 and 2025 federal elections, achieving a victory in both, including a landslide victory in 2025.[7][8] In 2024, he was publicly touted by Labor Left allies as a potential candidate for the Australian Senate to fill the vacancy created following the death of Linda White.[9] However, he declined the opportunity.[10] Following the 2025 election victory, he denied further speculation he intended to enter parliament soon and noted his intention to re-nominate as party secretary at the next Australian Labor Party National Conference.[11][12][13]
Erickson was afforded the number one spot on the "10 most covertly powerful people list" for 2025 published by The Australian Financial Review.[14]
Personal life
Erickson grew up in the state of Victoria.[1] He holds a Bachelor's degree in arts and economics.[1] It was there he became involved in student politics,[15] and was elected President of the University of Melbourne in 2003. He is the younger brother of three time Olympian and Commonwealth Games medalist, Chris Erickson. In May 2025, shortly before that year's Federal Election, Erickson and his partner welcomed their first child, Elisabeth.[16]
References
- ^ a b c d e f Norington, Brad (9 July 2019). "Labor's new poll whisperer a Jeremy Corbyn fan". The Australian.
- ^ Bramston, Troy (17 April 2014). "Left-wing Labor leader Nick Martin quits to enter non-profit sector". News Corporation. The Australian. Retrieved 14 March 2026.
- ^ "Paul Erickson". alp.org.au. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
- ^ Ison, Sarah (4 May 2025). "How 'quiet genius' cemented himself at heart of ALP leadership". News Corporation. The Australian. Retrieved 14 March 2026.
- ^ "Paul Erickson confirmed as ALP secretary". 9news.com.au. 16 August 2019. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
- ^ Fyfe, Melissa (27 June 2010). "Wanted: high-profile Tanner replacement". Nine Entertainment Co. The Age. Retrieved 14 March 2026.
- ^ Brown, Andrew (21 May 2025). "Federal election: Architect of Labor election win, Paul Erickson, to reveal victory path". Seven West Media Limited. The Nightly. Retrieved 14 March 2026.
- ^ Belot, Henry (7 May 2025). "Paul Erickson: unmasking the mastermind behind Labor's winning election strategy". The Guardian Australia. The Guardian. Retrieved 14 March 2026.
- ^ Koutsoukis, Jason (10 May 2025). "The quiet force behind Labor's landslide". Schwartz Media. The Saturday Paper. Retrieved 14 March 2026.
- ^ Mizen, Ronald (30 January 2026). "Paul Erickson helped Albanese win two elections. Here's his next political move". Nine Entertainment Co. Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 14 March 2026.
- ^ Roe, Isobel (21 May 2025). "'Lethal' ad campaign helped Labor achieve landslide victory, says campaign guru Paul Erickson". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. ABC News. Retrieved 14 March 2026.
- ^ Staszewska, Ewa (21 May 2025). "Labor's campaign mastermind's advice for Liberals after crushing loss". SBS Australia. SBS News. Retrieved 14 March 2026.
- ^ McIlroy, Tom (21 May 2025). "Architect of Labor's crushing win flags Dutton's fatal flaw and outlines what PM must do next". The Guardian Australia. The Guardian. Retrieved 14 March 2026.
- ^ Robin, Myriam (25 September 2025). "Australia's 10 most covertly powerful people in 2025". Nine Entertainment Co. Australian Financial Review Magazine. Retrieved 14 March 2026.
- ^ How to Capture a Prime Minister (3 September 2023). The State of the Union (student documentary). Retrieved 15 May 2025 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Key Labor figure briefly steps away from campaign to welcome first baby with partner". news. Archived from the original on 19 April 2025. Retrieved 2 September 2025.