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

Renters should be able to access solar rebates in Victoria, to drive down energy bills

29 February, 2024 - The Victorian Greens have called on the Victorian Labor Government to include renters in its solar rebate scheme to help drive down their el...

Premier Allan must listen to Victoria's Muslim community and cancel Iftar dinner

28 February, 2024 - The Victorian Greens have backed the calls of over one hundred Muslim organisations and community members including the Islamic Council of V...

Greens' pressure sees pill testing on horizon, but shouldn't come at expense of injecting room

26 February, 2024 - The Victorian Greens have welcomed reports the Victorian Labor Government is preparing to support a pill testing trial, and say it will save...

Greens offer MPs' offices as drop-off points for deadly fishing rods, to protect local wildlife

22 February, 2024 - The Victorian Greens have called on the Victorian Labor Government to set up a fishing-rod amnesty for the many unwanted fishing rods from t...

Greens secure stronger climate action, welcome independent inquiry into power grid

21 February, 2024 - The Victorian Greens have today secured reforms that will help prevent coal and gas companies from using dodgy loopholes to meet the state’s...

Supermarkets would be regulated to prevent price-gouging, under Greens' motion

21 February, 2024 - The Victorian Parliament will today debate and vote on a Greens’ motion to regulate supermarkets to stop them from price-gouging and taking ...

Upper House begins debate on historic pill testing bill

21 February, 2024 - The Victorian Greens have renewed their calls on the Victorian Labor Government to introduce pill testing, saying the evidence on pill testi...

Coal power stations should pay for storm and bushfire rebuild

14 February, 2024 - The Victorian Greens have today proposed imposing a new levy on Victoria’s three polluting coal power stations to help pay for climate damag...

Labor must stop 'salvage' logging future national parks

14 February, 2024 - The Victorian Greens have called on the Victorian Labor Government to immediately stop ‘salvage’ logging the future Wombat-Lerderderg Nation...

Greens say Harry Potter event must be moved to protect threatened species in wildlife sanctuary

7 February, 2024 - The Victorian Greens have urged the Victorian Labor Government to step in and prevent a nightly Harry Potter-themed event from going ahead in...

Greens say Victoria should follow NSW's lead by banning offshore gas drilling

7 February, 2024 - The Victorian Greens have called on the Victorian Labor Government to follow the lead of New South Wales and urgently ban offshore gas drilli...

Greens urge Victorian Labor to sever ties with Israel defence ministry, weapons manufacturer

7 February, 2024 - The Victorian Greens will today introduce a motion calling on the Victorian Labor Government to end its secretive relationship with the Israe...

Greens say WorkCover bill should be scrapped, after Labor and the Liberals teamed up to save it

6 February, 2024 - The Victorian Greens have called on the Victorian Labor Government to scrap their harmful WorkCover bill and go back to the drawing board, ra...

Joint push for pill testing in Victoria gains steam as Parliament returns

5 February, 2024 - The push for pill testing in Victoria will gain steam this week as three cross-bench parties prepare to challenge the new Premier to take act...

Greens issue warning to new Premier regarding potentially lethal 'Red Bull' pills detected interstate

30 January, 2024 - The Victorian Greens have warned the new Premier of the risks posed by untested substances to the lives of young people, following reports of...