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.

Ripper entered the Parliament of Western Australia in 1988, after winning a by-election in the Electoral district of Ascot.

Labor regained government in 2001, and Ripper was named Deputy Premier of Western Australia.

[3] Mark McGowan, who had been managing opposition business in the House, was elected unopposed as his successor.

Ripper retired at the 2013 state election and his seat was won by Glenys Godfrey of the Liberal Party, the former Mayor of Belmont.