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

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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

Labor must stop ignoring experts on pill testing and help save young Victorian lives

23 October, 2023 - The Victorian Greens have said Labor needs stop ignoring expert health advice and introduce pill testing as a matter of urgency, to help keep...

Greens issue challenge to government on housing plan: fix the crisis or we won't support it

19 October, 2023 -   The Victorian Greens have said Labor must commit to strong reforms to ease the state’s housing crisis in order to guarantee passage...

Greens launch plan to stop supermarket price gouging

19 October, 2023 - The Victorian Greens have launched a four-point-plan to stop supermarket price gouging.  The plan comes off the back of the results o...

Local councillor Rhonda Garad announced as Greens' Mulgrave candidate, the real opposition this election

19 October, 2023 - Dandenong councillor Rhonda Garad has been pre-selected as the Victorian Greens’ candidate for the seat of Mulgrave in the upcoming by-electi...

High Court ruling on electric vehicle tax a victory for climate, Labor must now provide refunds

18 October, 2023 - The Victorian Greens have hailed today’s high court decision to strike down the state’s electric vehicle tax as a victory for the climate, as...

Trans and gender diverse communities have right to gender affirming care

18 October, 2023 - The Victorian Greens have said trans and gender diverse communities across the state should unequivocally be able to access gender affirming ...

Parliamentary Integrity Commissioner an important step, but more integrity reforms needed

17 October, 2023 - The Victorian Greens have welcomed the Victorian Labor Government’s decision to finally move to establish a Parliamentary Integrity Commissio...

Labor's decision to shelve bail reform a retrograde decision that may harm children

5 October, 2023 - The Victorian Greens have slammed Premier Allan’s decision to abandon part of the government’s own bail bill less than 24 hours before it was ...

Labor's plan to demolish public housing towers will see just 15 extra social homes built each year

4 October, 2023 - New figures provided by the Victorian Labor Government have revealed their plan to demolish 44 public housing towers will see an increase of j...

Victorian Parliament to investigate state's preparedness for climate disasters

4 October, 2023 - A Victorian Greens’ motion calling for a parliamentary inquiry into the state’s preparedness for upcoming climate disasters has passed the Upp...

Greens write to Premier Allan, urge rethink on housing privatisation

3 October, 2023 - The Victorian Greens have written to Premier Jacinta Allan urging her to adopt a more progressive approach to the state’s housing crisis than ...

Vacancy tax will remain ineffective while it's not enforceable

3 October, 2023 - The Victorian Greens have welcomed today’s announcement from the Treasurer that the Victorian Government intends to expand the vacant property...

Ombudsman report makes clear that Labor's EV tax has been dog's breakfast

27 September, 2023 - The Victorian Greens have said a damning report into Victorian Labor’s EV tax has made clear the policy was a terrible idea from the start ...

Greens back open letter from medical bodies supporting a medically supervised injecting room in CBD

26 September, 2023 - The Victorian Greens have thrown their support behind an open letter released today calling for a medically supervised injecting room (MSIR...

Greens call on Victorian Government to stop supermarket price gouging during cost-of-living crisis

25 September, 2023 - The Victorian Greens are urging the Victorian Labor Government to introduce price controls on everyday supermarket items to prevent giants ...