Tasmanian Labor has appointed a new state secretary as the party continues its push to rebuild and return to local control.
Gordon Luckman, who started volunteering with the party in 2013, will take over from acting state secretary Jarryd Moore who held the role for two and a half years.
Luckman has held various roles at state and federal levels and spent two years working under Paul Erickson in Labor’s National Secretariat.
He will officially start on August 3.
Luckman said it was an honour to take on the position.
“This is a role that comes with great trust and I intend to earn it every day,” he said.
“As State Secretary, my focus will be on ensuring Tasmanian Labor is better equipped to campaign, trusted to govern and capable of delivering Labor values for decades to come.”
He thanked Moore for his contribution to the party.
“Jarryd achieved a great deal, from modernising Labor’s operations to steering us through tough campaigns,” he said.
Tasmanian Labor Leader Josh Willie welcomed the appointment as a sign the party is returning to local control.
“Gordon is a proud Tasmanian who has demonstrated unquestionable commitment to championing Labor values over more than a decade,” Willie said.
“Following the party’s first state conference in seven years in April and the election of party presidents, this is yet another step showing the Tasmanian Labor Party is back under local control.”
The appointment is the latest step in a lengthy rebuilding process for the Tasmanian branch.
The party was placed under national administration in mid-2022 after years of damaging infighting, with former senators Nick Sherry and Doug Cameron put in charge of the state branch.
That arrangement ended in February 2024, earlier than expected, after the national executive determined the branch was ready to govern itself.
Sherry, now serving as Tasmanian Labor president, said Luckman would continue to strengthen the party.
“But with Premier Rockliff putting Eric Abetz in charge of cutting jobs and services to pay for 13 years of Liberal waste, it’s arguably more important than ever,” Sherry said.
“Gordon’s skillset and values make him an ideal State Secretary to continue on from Jarryd’s achievements and ensure Labor continues to stand up for Tasmanians.”
