Nick Staikos

Nicholas Staikos (born 4 July 1986) is an Australian politician. He has been a Labor Party member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly since November 2014, representing the Legislative Assembly seat of Bentleigh. Staikos has been serving as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier since June 2022, and the Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs since October 2023.

Career
In 2005, Staikos was elected to Glen Eira Council. At 19, he was the youngest person ever elected to that council. He was re-elected in 2008, but resigned in 2009 following the passage of legislation that banned people employed by members of Parliament from serving in local government. Following his resignation, he was appointed an honorary life member of the East Bentleigh Senior Citizens Club in recognition of his service. He was also appointed President of Godfrey Street Community House.

Staikos has worked for a number of MPs in state and federal parliaments, including Simon Crean, Clare O'Neil, Judith Graley and Ann Barker.

He was elected to the Victorian Parliament in 2014 in the seat of Bentleigh by a margin of just 0.8 per cent. During Staikos' first term, the electorate underwent significant changes, including the removal of three level crossings, major upgrades to schools and the return of St Kilda Football Club to Moorabbin. He was easily re-elected in 2018, achieving a swing of more than 11 per cent. Following this election, Staikos was appointed Secretary of the State Parliamentary Labor Party and Deputy Government Whip. He was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer in 2020. He was then appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier in June 2022.

Originally a member of Labor Right, Staikos joined Labor Left along with six of his colleagues shortly after the 2022 Victorian state election, resulting in Labor Left constituting a majority of the state Labor caucus.

In October 2023, Staikos became the Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs, whilst continuing in his role as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier.

Personal life
Staikos was born in Moorabbin Hospital, and attended local primary and secondary schools. He is of Greek descent. Staikos graduated from Monash University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours).