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

Greens lock themselves in cage to protest refugees detained in Park Hotel

2 March, 2022 - Four Greens MPs have locked themselves inside a cage outside the Park Hotel to protest the refugees being detained there. Samantha Ratnam MLC...

Government must not abandon housing reform

1 March, 2022 - The Victorian Greens have said the Victorian Government’s decision to shelve its plans for a pipeline of funding for new social housing is a maj...

Victoria should follow lead of NSW and ban offshore drilling

23 February, 2022 - The Victorian Greens have said Victoria should follow the lead of NSW and ban offshore drilling for coal and gas to protect the state’s prec...

Victoria would eliminate homelessness by 2030 under Greens bill

23 February, 2022 - Victoria would have a legislated target to eliminate homelessness by 2030 under a Bill to be introduced by the Greens today. The Human Ri...

Former Yarra Mayor and long-time Collingwood local announced as Greens candidate for Richmond

19 February, 2022 - Former Yarra Mayor and Councillor Gabrielle de Vietri has been pre-selected as the Victorian Greens’ candidate for the s...

Victoria to investigate rise of far-right extremism

9 February, 2022 - The Victorian Parliament will investigate the growing threat and influence of far-right extremism in Victoria following the introdu...

Greens welcome RATs for kids in kinder and childcare

8 February, 2022 - The Victorian Greens have welcomed today’s announcement that the Victorian Government will provide free Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) for kids in...

Ombudsman's investigation into public housing must be wake-up call to Government

2 February, 2022 - The Victorian Greens have said the Ombudsman’s upcoming investigation into public and community housing complaints is welcome and should be a...

What Crown asks for, the Victorian Labor Government delivers: Greens

25 January, 2022 - The Victorian Greens are calling on the Victorian Labor Government to stand up to Crown and the gambling industry following reports they may ...

Greens urge Victorian Government to support their 'raise the age' bill

21 December, 2021 - The Victorian Greens have backed calls from the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria to raise the age of criminal responsibility in Victoria ...

Greens call for inquiry into West Gate Tunnel project

17 December, 2021 - The Victorian Greens have called for a parliamentary inquiry into the West Gate Tunnel project following reports of multi-billion dollar blo...

Border permit scheme failed stranded Victorians

7 December, 2021 - The Victorian Greens have welcomed the Ombudsman’s report into the state’s border permit scheme and say it echoes concerns they had in August...

Greens-led extinction inquiry reveals Victoria's environment and threatened species underfunded by billions

2 December, 2021 - A Parliamentary inquiry into Victoria’s threatened species has found that the state government has been chronically underfunding the environm...

Greens urge government to act on VicForests in Parliament

1 December, 2021 - The Victorian Greens have used this week in Parliament to increase pressure on the Victorian Labor Government to take action against its outl...

It's time for Labor to shut down VicForests and end native forest logging: Greens

30 November, 2021 - The Victorian Greens have said the recent expose on VicForests has made clear that the outlaw organisation has been allowed to get away with...