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

Get involved with Samantha Ratnam's current campaigns.

Create an anti-racist Victoria

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End Extinction In Victoria

Sign up to help protect native species and end extinction in Victoria.

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

Ellen Sandell to re-contest seat of Melbourne at state election

1 June, 2022 - Staunch climate advocate and local Kensington mum Ellen Sandell has officially announced she will re-contest the seat of Melbourne in the Novembe...

Greens call for 'mask up' campaign as government sleepwalks towards health crisis

27 May, 2022 - As the number of Victorians in hospital with COVID marches steadily higher, hitting 571 today, and new national death data also increases, the Vi...

Inquiry reveals Victoria could go further and faster on renewable energy

26 May, 2022 - A parliamentary inquiry into renewable energy has found that Victoria could be taking further and faster action to transition away from polluting...

Anti-protest bill a blow to Victoria's forests

25 May, 2022 - The Victorian Greens have said they will fight a recently introduced bill that would see protestors threatened with fines and jail time for tryin...

Australian-first push to protect wildlife and ban dangerous rat poisons

24 May, 2022 - In a bid to protect Victoria’s native birds, animals and our pets, the Greens are calling on the Victorian Government to ban the public sale of s...

An Update on the Preston Market redevelopment

13 May, 2022 - The Greens have been campaigning strongly for protection of Preston Market. We've questioned the minister in state parliament, put the press...

Budget a missed opportunity to solve housing affordability

3 May, 2022 - The Victorian Greens have generally welcomed major investments in health in the 2022/23 state budget, but say the government has avoided taking th...

Public school teacher and climate advocate announced as Greens candidate for Northcote

9 April, 2022 - Public school teacher and climate advocate Campbell Gome has been pre-selected as the Victorian Greens’ candidate for the seat of Northcote in t...

Grand Prix an expensive race to the bottom

8 April, 2022 - Greens candidate for Macnamara, Steph Hodgins-May has joined with Greens Transport Spokesperson and MP for Prahran to call for the end of the Gr...

Tackling housing affordability and low wages must be top priority in State Budget

5 April, 2022 - The Victorian Greens have called on the Victorian Labor Government to prioritise housing affordability and wages in its State Budget this year t...

Greens call for free public transport in Victoria, and incentives for EVs and e-bikes

22 March, 2022 - As petrol prices continue to soar, the Victorian Greens are calling on the state government to temporarily make public transport free in a bid ...

New homes in Victoria shouldn't be forced to connect to gas

22 March, 2022 - The Victorian Greens have called on Minister Wynne to urgently update Victoria’s planning rules to stop new homes being forced to connect to ga...

Victoria can end homelessness by 2030

9 March, 2022 - The Victorian Greens will today second-read a Bill that would push the Victorian Government to end homelessness across the state by 2030. The...

Greens introduce bill to ban offshore drilling in Victoria

8 March, 2022 - The Victorian Greens will today introduce a Bill that would ban offshore drilling for fossil fuels like oil and gas in Victoria. The Offshore...

Victoria needs culturally-specific women's refuges

8 March, 2022 - The Victorian Greens have called for the establishment of culturally-specific women’s refuges in Victoria to mark International Women’s Day. ...