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

Federal Government must include Kensington residents in disaster payment scheme

18 October, 2022 - The Victorian Greens have called on the Federal Government to ensure Kensington residents are included in its disaster recovery payment schem...

Greens pledge $40 million for culturally inclusive women's refuges

17 October, 2022 - As Victoria marks the start of the Week Without Violence (WWV), the Victorian Greens have launched their plans to establish Victoria’s first ...

Greens call on Racing Victoria to stump up cash for flood relief efforts

15 October, 2022 - The Victorian Greens have said every gambling entity about to bank millions at the Spring Racing Carnival – including Racing Victoria – must ...

Greens pitch veto rights and $1 billion fund to protect First Nations cultural heritage

13 October, 2022 - The Victorian Greens have launched an election pitch to protect First Nations cultural heritage with rights to veto developments that threate...

IBAC report builds Greens case for urgent integrity reform

12 October, 2022 - The Victorian Greens have welcomed the recommendations from a report released by IBAC today into the corruption risks associated with donatio...

Cannabis would be legalised in Victoria from 2024, under Greens plan

10 October, 2022 - The Victorian Greens have launched a plan to legalise and regulate the sale and consumption of cannabis in Victoria from 2024. This would ...

Greens take climate fight to inner-south this election

9 October, 2022 - The Victorian Greens plan to take the fight against climate change to the inner-south this election in a bid to increase their representation ...

Auditor-General report shows that Victorian Government is refusing to punish illegal logging

6 October, 2022 - A damning report released today by the Auditor-General has found that VicForests is not being effectively regulated, leaving our native forest...

Labor must reverse Maroondah decision if it is serious about Treaty

6 October, 2022 - The Victorian Greens have urged the Victorian Labor Government to listen to the tens of thousands of Victorians that have signed a petition ca...

Greens push for solar-powered car boom in Victoria

4 October, 2022 - The Victorian Greens have released a bold Electric Vehicle Rapid Uptake Plan that would see electric vehicle owners supported to charge their ...

Artists would be given a living wage under pilot program

3 October, 2022 - The Victorian Greens have launched their plan for a pilot program that would see practising Victorian artists paid a living wage over three ye...

Victorian Greens launch election platform including plan for 200,000 homes and bank levy raising $1.4 billion

1 October, 2022 - The Victorian Greens have today launched their broad policy platform for the upcoming state election. It is their boldest platform yet and ...

Greens caution against scrapping COVID isolation period

30 September, 2022 - The Victorian Greens have cautioned the Victorian Labor Government against scrapping the requirement for Victorians with COVID to isolate f...

Greens pitch short-stay regulation overhaul

30 September, 2022 - The Victorian Greens have today launched their plan to overhaul the regulation of short-stays in Victoria, in a bid to help address the sta...

Victorian Government must take active role in early coal closure

29 September, 2022 - The Victorian Greens have welcomed news that AGL will shut down its Loy Yang A coal plant in 2035 but say the decision lays bare the need f...