Samantha Ratnam

Leader of the Victorian Greens, MLC for Northern Metro

I am the MLC for Northern Metropolitan and the leader of the Victorian Greens. 

In 2017, I entered the Victorian Parliament representing the Northern Metropolitan Region in the Legislative Council. In the 2018 state election, I was re-elected to this position.

As an MP and the Leader of the Victorian Greens, I am a strong advocate for our environment and social justice. I have actively campaigned to save public housing, reduce gambling harm and for stronger action on climate change.

Samantha with community members marching in a rally

Prior to entering the Victorian Parliament, I was a social worker for over 15 years in the fields of drug and alcohol rehabilitation, international development, family services and in settlement services for newly arrived migrants from refugee backgrounds.

Alongside my social work career, I also spent five years as a Councillor at the City of Moreland, where I was elected the first Greens Mayor of Moreland in 2015. On council, I worked with my fellow Councillors to secure the largest funding commitment to environmental action in order to reduce Moreland’s community carbon emissions to zero. I was also integral in increasing the council’s cycling infrastructure budget by 75% in the first year, fought to protect residents’ appeal rights in planning matters and voted against more poker machines in the city.

I hold a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Social Work with Honours and a PhD in Youth Sociology.

I believe in putting people first and I'm proud to be part of a party that has never taken money from corporations trying to buy influence - governments should always act in the public good, not in the interests of their corporate mates. 

I want our state to be all it can be by investing in world-class public transport, powering Victoria with 100% clean renewable energy, providing homes for everyone, protecting our forests from logging companies and returning essential services like electricity to public hands. 

Together, my team and I will represent your needs in parliament and build a future for all of us - not just the wealthy few. 

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

Take Action

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End Extinction In Victoria

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Black Lives Matter

Our justice system should treat every single Victorian equally and fairly, regardless of your race or how much money you have. 

News

Energy Legislation Amendment (Publication of Retail Offers) Bill 2015

6 August, 2015 - Mr BARBER (Northern Metropolitan) — The Greens are supporting this bill. It is nice that the government is making a few changes to its website ...

Hiroshima Day

6 August, 2015 - Mr BARBER (Northern Metropolitan) — Today we mark 70 years since the Hiroshima bomb. We continue to mark Hiroshima Day not only as a reminder o...

Questions Without notice- Points of Order

6 August, 2015 - Mr Barber — On a point of order, President, perhaps I could be of assistance in clarifying the matter that you have just raised. It was the min...

Alcoa (Portland Aluminium Smelter) (Amendment) Act Amendment Bill 2015

5 August, 2015 - Mr BARBER (Northern Metropolitan) — Obviously I will be supporting the amendment. It is an amendment put forward by the Greens to our own bill....

Port of Melbourne Lease

5 August, 2015 - Mr BARBER (Northern Metropolitan) — The Greens will support this motion. I believe the issues and questions Mr Rich-Phillips has put in paragra...

Delivering Victorian Infrastructure (Port of Melbourne Lease Transaction) Bill 2015

4 August, 2015 - Mr BARBER (Northern Metropolitan) — As members in this chamber well understand, the Greens are opposed to the proposed sale of the port of Melb...

Recognising Objectors Bill 2015

4 August, 2015 - I rise to speak on the Planning and Environment Amendment (Recognising Objectors) Bill 2015. This is a bill that promises but does not deliver....

Queston on Notice - Value of Forest

2 August, 2015 - MS DUNN — To ask the Special Minister of State (for the Treasurer): In relation to the method of calculation of the reduction in value of regen...

Parliamentary study tours

25 June, 2015 - Mr BARBER (Northern Metropolitan) — We are about to start an approximately five-week break between parliamentary sittings, and I am going to be ...

Appropriation (2015-2016) Bill 2015

23 June, 2015 - Mr BARBER (Northern Metropolitan) — The minister may argue that my question is irrelevant to the scope of the bill. I will argue that my questio...

Question without notice- Coal exploration

23 June, 2015 - Mr BARBER (Northern Metropolitan) — My question is for the acting Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water. Recently the Premier wrote...

Question without notice- Renewable energy

23 June, 2015 - Mr BARBER (Northern Metropolitan) — My question is for the acting Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water. Recently the Premier wrote...

State Taxation Acts Amendment Bill 2015

23 June, 2015 - Mr BARBER (Northern Metropolitan) — I would also ask that my amendments be circulated. I just need to make a short explanation. I stated during ...

State Taxation Acts Amendment Bill 2015

23 June, 2015 - Mr BARBER (Northern Metropolitan) — I would like to give the house the story so far. The government announced this special tax on foreigners, an...

Appropriation (2015-2016) Bill 2015 and Budget Papers 2015-16

11 June, 2015 - Mr BARBER (Northern Metropolitan) — The government has done a very good job of going out and selling the bits of its budget it wants to sell. Th...