Samantha Ratnam

Leader of the Victorian Greens and Member for Northern Metro

Samantha Ratnam

Samantha has dedicated her life to fighting for social and economic justice; for climate and housing justice, equality and peace.

Samantha has represented her community for over a decade.

She was first elected to Local Government in 2012, and elected Mayor of Moreland (now Merri-Bek) in 2016, doubling her vote in her re-election and helping double the number of Greens elected to Council.

In 2017, she became the first woman to lead the Victorian Greens and has led the party through the pandemic and multiple elections, doubling the party room at the 2022 election. Sam is proud to have been leading our State parliamentary team for nearly 7 years – a team that is highly talented, united and poised for historic success.

Under her leadership, the Greens have secured the balance of power in the Victorian parliament, and have pushed Labor further and faster on climate, housing and integrity reform, freed up thousands of homes for renters, helped  end native forest logging and secured the first inquiry into the threat of far right extremism.

Samantha and the Greens team are fighting for a future where everyone has a quality affordable home, where we power our state with 100% renewable energy, not coal and gas, and where we tax big corporations and fund the things everyone needs.

Samantha learned very early in life that the decisions politicians make can shape our lives.

She moved to Australia with her family when she was a child, because of the civil war that broke out in Sri Lanka. They came to Australia seeking peace and safety with nothing more than the suitcases they carried between them.

Samantha has worked hard to give back to the community that has given her so much and is a deeply committed and connected local.

Prior to entering politics, Samantha spent 15 years as a social worker, supporting people experiencing drug and alcohol issues and in settlement services for newly arrived migrants. She spent years working with Migrant Resource Centres and the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, assisting people to rebuild their lives after fleeing war.

Samantha holds Bachelors degrees in Arts and Social Work, from the University of Melbourne and a PhD that investigated young people’s experiences of belonging, participation and global citizenship.

She has loved calling Brunswick home for over 15 years with her husband, Colin, and 3 year old daughter, Malala. She can often be found on a squash court at Fitzy’s that she credits with keeping her energised!

Samantha Ratnam sitting at a table smiling
In a wealthy country like ours, no one should be left behind. The Greens have a bold plan for a future where we tackle the climate crisis and make sure no one is left to struggle. Change is possible, if enough of us fight for it.
– Samantha Ratnam

Take Action

Get involved with Samantha Ratnam's current campaigns.

Make Renting Fair

Fixing the system so Victorian renters have affordable, secure and sustainable homes.

Protect Public Homes

We should be building more public housing, not demolishing what we have.

All women deserve to access safety from abuse

Tell the government Victoria needs a culturally specific women’s refuge

Samantha's 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

Contact

Office of Samantha Ratnam
Suite G01, 60 Leicester Street, Carlton, VIC 3053

(03) 9348 2622

Samantha.Ratnam@parliament.vic.gov.au

News

Latest from the Victorian Greens

Bill to set end date for coal in Victoria knocked down by Labor

21 June, 2023 - The Victorian Labor Government has stifled debate on a bill to end coal in Victoria by 2030, despite the urgent climate crisis we currently face...

Greens secure commitment from Labor on renter safeguards, will support tax reforms

20 June, 2023 - The Victorian Greens have secured a commitment from the Victorian Labor Government on renter safeguards, and are now in a position to support th...

State and local Greens push Victorian Government to invest in public housing

20 June, 2023 - The Victorian Greens have ramped up their pressure on the Victorian Labor Government to build more public and affordable housing, with the Membe...

Greens move to redirect Future Fund towards public housing, convert COVID Debt Levy into an 'Ending Poverty' Levy

19 June, 2023 - The state government’s COVID Debt Levy and Victorian Future Fund would be used to tackle poverty and increase public housing under a Victorian G...

Planning reforms must ensure half of all new homes are public or affordable

16 June, 2023 - The Victorian Greens have called on the Victorian Labor Government to ensure any reform to the state’s planning laws will require half of all ne...

Cost of demolishing public housing estate and privatising land revealed, as Greens urge rethink

15 June, 2023 - The Victorian Greens have condemned the Victorian Labor Government for its plan to spend hundreds of millions of dollars demolishing public hous...

Government indicates it may ban gambling ads at Commonwealth Games

14 June, 2023 - The Victorian Greens have welcomed an indication by the Victorian Labor Government that it may ban gambling advertising at the Commonwealth Game...

Greens demand stronger commitment to renter safeguards to ensure support for tax reforms

13 June, 2023 - The Victorian Greens have said that in order to secure their support for tax reforms that are currently before Parliament, the Victorian Labor G...

Public housing residents face 'ruthless' intimidation by Labor, in a bid to scare them away

9 June, 2023 - The Victorian Greens have condemned the Victorian Labor Government for resorting to “ruthless” intimidation tactics in an effort to drive out the...

Reforms to cancer scheme for firefighters fall short, Greens to move amendments

9 June, 2023 - The Victorian Greens have said proposed reforms to the state’s presumptive cancer scheme for firefighters “fall short” of what the science demand...

New report reveals Victorian Government has spent $80m on PwC, Greens renew call to freeze contracts

8 June, 2023 - The Victorian Greens have renewed their call on the Victorian Labor Government to freeze any future contracts with PwC, following the release of ...

Victorian Government must ban bribes from predatory gas companies

8 June, 2023 - The Victorian Greens have urged the Victorian Labor Government to urgently ban gas companies using predatory behaviour and bribes to lock Victori...

Victorian Labor walks back housing commitment on Fitzroy Gasworks site

8 June, 2023 - The Victorian Greens have called a Victorian Labor Government decision to walk back a commitment to build affordable housing on a site in Fitzroy...

Firefighter cancer scheme would be expanded under Greens' bill

7 June, 2023 - The Victorian Greens have today released a draft Bill to expand the number of cancers covered by the state’s firefighters presumptive cancer sche...

Victoria continues to have 'world's worst' EV policy: Greens

7 June, 2023 - The Victorian Greens have called the Victorian Labor Government’s decision to prematurely end its electric vehicle rebate scheme “a backwards ste...