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

Victorian Government must confront spread of COVID to suppress this wave: Greens

2 December, 2022 - The Victorian Greens have urged the Victorian Government to help reduce the spread of COVID in a bid to protect our hospitals from buckling u...

"Letters of comfort" to pokies profiteers show donations still paying dividends

23 November, 2022 - The Greens have today slammed revelations that Labor and the Liberals have issued “letters of comfort” to pokies profiteers ensuring they wo...

The winner on the night was people who didn't watch: Greens

23 November, 2022 - Quotes attributable to Leader of the Victorian Greens, Samantha Ratnam MLC: “The real winners on Tuesday night were the people who didn’t...

Greens launch 'game-changing' plan to give renters and apartment-dwellers access to solar

22 November, 2022 - The Victorian Greens have launched a game-changing plan to unlock solar power for Victorian renters and apartment owner-occupiers, ahead of ...

Greens set sights on swimmable Yarra Birrarung

21 November, 2022 - THE Greens have today called on the state government to walk the talk on the health of the Yarra Birrarung by committing the funding that wo...

Greens call for free bush camps so Victorian kids don't miss out on nature-based learning

18 November, 2022 - Greens Deputy Leader and environment spokesperson Ellen Sandell has joined Greens Northcote candidate and local school teacher Campbell Gome...

Greens call on Andrews to come clean on Druery rort

17 November, 2022 - In the wake of more evidence that Victoria’s electoral system is being rorted, the Victorian Greens have called on Daniel Andrews to come cl...

Greens launch plan to make contraception free in Victoria

17 November, 2022 - The Victorian Greens have unveiled their bold plan to make contraception free across the state, in an effort to remove the cost barriers fac...

Victorian Greens announce priorities in minority government

16 November, 2022 - The Victorian Greens have announced what they plan to put on the table in the event that Labor is not able to form a majority government in ...

Push to end homelessness by 2030 in next Victorian Parliament

15 November, 2022 - The Victorian Greens have announced they will reintroduce their Ending Homelessness Bill on the first day of the next Parliament. Victori...

Greens announce top climate priorities including coal workers job guarantee on the eve of early voting

13 November, 2022 - On the eve of polls opening to early voters, the Greens have unveiled their priorities for a safe climate future for Victorians. The Greens’...

Ban pointless plastics and fix the recycling crisis: Greens

12 November, 2022 - In the wake of the failure of the REDcycle scheme, the Greens have called for a statewide Soft Plastics Strategy, which includes market inte...

Greens launch plan for Youth Housing Guarantee

9 November, 2022 - The Victorian Greens have launched their plan for a Youth Housing Guarantee in an election bid to reduce the high rates of youth homelessness...

Public transport would be free for under 21s using 'Climate Ticket': Greens

8 November, 2022 - The Victorian Greens have announced a new ‘Climate Ticket’ that would allow people to travel on public transport across Victoria for free or ...