Joe Helper

Lower House
Member for Ripon
Minister for Agriculture
Minister for Small Business

Electorate Office:

177 High Street
Maryborough VIC 3465
Tel: (03) 5461 1255
Fax: (03) 5461 1631

Postal Address:
PO Box 175
Maryborough VIC 3465

Email Joe Helper

Ministerial Office:
Level 22
1 Spring Street
Melbourne VIC 3003
Tel: (03) 9658 4670
Fax: (03) 9658 4631

About Joe Helper

Joe Helper was born in Germany in 1959. Joe and his family migrated to Australia in 1971 and settled in Melbourne. Over ten years ago, Joe and Julie moved to Yandoit to build a home on a small rural property.

Joe started his working life as a Motor Mechanic. Since leaving his trade, Joe has worked for a number of State and Federal Members of Parliament, as well as working for the State Public Service.

In the 1993 and 1996 Federal Elections, Joe contested the Federal seat of Bendigo for the Australian Labor Party. This seat partially overlaps the State electorate of Ripon. 

In 1996, Joe returned to his trade when he became the proprietor of Newstead Motors. Having run his own business, Joe understands the important role played by small business in communities throughout Ripon.

In October 1999, Joe was elected to State Parliament as the ALP Member for Ripon. Joe and Julie have two children, Megan and Patrick.

At the 2002 State election, Joe was returned with an increased majority. Building on his interest in regional issues, Joe was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development by the Premier. In December 2006, Joe was appointed Minister for Agriculture and then in August 2007 was appointed Minister for Agriculture and Minister for Small Business.

About Ripon

Location: Ripon District is a rural electorate located north-west of Melbourne.
Area: 12,020 square kilometres.
Region: Western Victoria Region
Towns: Ararat, Avoca, Beaufort, Dunolly, Halls Gap, Maryborough, Skipton and Stawell.

Features: Ripon District is a centre of agriculture, wine making, timber industries, manufacturing, wool production, paper milling, knitting mills and tourism. Natural features include the Pyrenees Ranges and the Grampians.