Samantha Ratnam

Leader of the Victorian Greens and Member for Northern Metro

Samantha Ratnam

Samantha has dedicated her life to fighting for social and economic justice; for climate and housing justice, equality and peace.

Samantha has represented her community for over a decade.

She was first elected to Local Government in 2012, and elected Mayor of Moreland (now Merri-Bek) in 2016, doubling her vote in her re-election and helping double the number of Greens elected to Council.

In 2017, she became the first woman to lead the Victorian Greens and has led the party through the pandemic and multiple elections, doubling the party room at the 2022 election. Sam is proud to have been leading our State parliamentary team for nearly 7 years – a team that is highly talented, united and poised for historic success.

Under her leadership, the Greens have secured the balance of power in the Victorian parliament, and have pushed Labor further and faster on climate, housing and integrity reform, freed up thousands of homes for renters, helped  end native forest logging and secured the first inquiry into the threat of far right extremism.

Samantha and the Greens team are fighting for a future where everyone has a quality affordable home, where we power our state with 100% renewable energy, not coal and gas, and where we tax big corporations and fund the things everyone needs.

Samantha learned very early in life that the decisions politicians make can shape our lives.

She moved to Australia with her family when she was a child, because of the civil war that broke out in Sri Lanka. They came to Australia seeking peace and safety with nothing more than the suitcases they carried between them.

Samantha has worked hard to give back to the community that has given her so much and is a deeply committed and connected local.

Prior to entering politics, Samantha spent 15 years as a social worker, supporting people experiencing drug and alcohol issues and in settlement services for newly arrived migrants. She spent years working with Migrant Resource Centres and the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, assisting people to rebuild their lives after fleeing war.

Samantha holds Bachelors degrees in Arts and Social Work, from the University of Melbourne and a PhD that investigated young people’s experiences of belonging, participation and global citizenship.

She has loved calling Brunswick home for over 15 years with her husband, Colin, and 3 year old daughter, Malala. She can often be found on a squash court at Fitzy’s that she credits with keeping her energised!

Samantha Ratnam sitting at a table smiling
In a wealthy country like ours, no one should be left behind. The Greens have a bold plan for a future where we tackle the climate crisis and make sure no one is left to struggle. Change is possible, if enough of us fight for it.
– Samantha Ratnam

Take Action

Get involved with Samantha Ratnam's current campaigns.

Make Renting Fair

Fixing the system so Victorian renters have affordable, secure and sustainable homes.

Protect Public Homes

We should be building more public housing, not demolishing what we have.

All women deserve to access safety from abuse

Tell the government Victoria needs a culturally specific women’s refuge

Samantha's Portfolios

  • First Nations Justice
  • Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism
  • Public and Affordable Housing
  • Women, Gender Equality and Family Violence
  • Sustainable Cities and Planning 
  • Child Protection 
  • Veterans

Contact

Office of Samantha Ratnam
Suite G01, 60 Leicester Street, Carlton, VIC 3053

(03) 9348 2622

Samantha.Ratnam@parliament.vic.gov.au

News

Latest from the Victorian Greens

Push to increase registration fees for dangerous, polluting truckzillas

28 March, 2024 - The Victorian Greens have called on the Victorian Labor Government to increase registration fees for large American-style utes and SUVs in metr...

Real test for Crown begins now, Greens urge Labor to ditch culture of leniency

26 March, 2024 - The Victorian Greens have said the real test for Crown begins now, following a decision by the state’s gambling and casino commission to allow ...

Renting taskforce will remain toothless while Labor continues screwing renters over

21 March, 2024 - The Victorian Greens have said the Victorian Labor Government’s announcement of a “renting taskforce” is merely an attempt to distract from the...

Greens call ankle bracelet reform 'inhumane', say Victoria Police shouldn't write Labor's justice policy

20 March, 2024 - The Victorian Greens have called a Victorian Labor Government proposal to slap ankle bracelets on children as young as 14 inhumane, and say the...

Greens push for inquiry into government's plan to demolish public housing towers

20 March, 2024 - The Victorian Greens will today push for a parliamentary inquiry into the Victorian Labor Government’s plan to demolish 44 public housing tower...

Greens secure inquiry into Labor's public housing demolition plan

20 March, 2024 - The Victorian Greens have secured a parliamentary inquiry into the Victorian Labor Government’s plan to demolish 44 public housing towers and p...

Coronial recommendations for pill testing increase pressure on new Premier

15 March, 2024 - The Victorian Greens have said the new Premier can no longer ignore the mounting pressure in favour of pill testing, following the release of n...

VicForests are 'environmental vandals', Greens welcome reports of closure

13 March, 2024 - The Victorian Greens have welcomed reports VicForests will cease to exist by the end of June, calling the controversial state-owned logging com...

Premier Allan must raise the age to 14, not cave to pressure

11 March, 2024 - The Victorian Greens have warned Premier Allan against watering down the government’s plans to raise the age, following reports of internal pre...

Tragic overdose death could have been prevented had pill testing been implemented

11 March, 2024 - The Victorian Greens have said the tragic death of a festival-goer over the weekend could have been prevented had the Victorian Labor Governmen...

Greens concerned over allegations State Library is cancelling artists' contracts amid Gaza crisis

7 March, 2024 - The Victorian Greens have expressed concern over allegations the State Library of Victoria has terminated a number of artist contracts in recent...

Offshore oil and gas drilling would be banned in Victoria, under Greens' bill

6 March, 2024 - A month after the NSW Labor Government promised to ban new offshore oil and gas projects, the Victorian Greens will today re-introduce their bil...

Labor no longer 'party for workers' if WorkCover changes are rushed through

5 March, 2024 - The Victorian Greens have said Labor will no longer be able to tout themselves as the ‘party for workers’ if the state government’s disastrous W...

Even Labor MPs know WorkCover changes are bad, Greens call for bill to be scrapped

4 March, 2024 - The Victorian Greens have renewed their calls on the Victorian Labor Government to withdraw their WorkCover bill, following reports some Labor M...