Samantha Ratnam

Leader of the Victorian Greens, MLC for Northern Metro

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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

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News

Premier Allan's comments on pill testing 'cowardly', and a kick in the guts to young Victorians

10 January, 2024 - The Victorian Greens have called Premier Allan’s comments on pill testing cowardly, and say without it young people will continue to be at gr...

Victorian Labor Government has power to stop supermarket price gouging, but refuses to act

10 January, 2024 - The Victorian Greens have welcomed reports of a federal review into supermarket prices, saying the Woolworths and Coles duopoly need to stop ...

Rave overdoses build urgent case for pill testing in Victoria

8 January, 2024 - Three progressive cross-bench parties have renewed their calls on the Victorian Labor Government to establish pill testing across the state, f...

Gas Substitution Roadmap will be undermined while Labor supports new coal and gas

14 December, 2023 - The Victorian Greens have said any attempts by the Victorian Labor Government to reduce gas usage will be undermined while they continue to ...

'No more excuses': Greens say Victoria needs independent police oversight

12 December, 2023 - The Victorian Greens have called on the Victorian Labor Government to urgently establish an independent police ombudsman, in response to an ...

Survey shows waterbird populations in long-term decline, Greens renew call on Labor to ban duck shooting

12 December, 2023 - The Victorian Greens have said the Victorian Labor Government must ban duck shooting as a matter of urgency, following the release of the la...

WorkCover changes should be withdrawn so Labor can go back to drawing board

12 December, 2023 - The Victorian Greens have called on the Victorian Labor Government to withdraw its proposed WorkCover bill, after a committee heard damning ...

Community to rally against Labor's plan to demolish 44 public housing towers

9 December, 2023 - Community members opposed to the Victorian Labor Government’s plan to demolish 44 public housing towers and privatise the land will gather fo...

IBAC needs more powers to investigate public sector and politicians, following Ombudsman report

6 December, 2023 - The Victorian Greens have said the state’s anti-corruption watchdog should be given broader powers to investigate breaches of the codes of co...

Labor must step in and scrap proposal for Lara waste incinerator

6 December, 2023 - The Victorian Greens have called on the Victorian Labor Government to step in and halt a proposed waste incinerator earmarked for Lara, after...

Treaty will be 'watershed moment' for First Nations justice, following panel appointment

6 December, 2023 - The Victorian Greens have welcomed the appointment of the Treaty Authority panel, saying it moves the state one step closer to commencing the...

Publishing ministerial diaries an important, small step in improving Victoria's integrity standards

1 December, 2023 - The Victorian Greens have welcomed the Victorian Government’s decision to make ministerial diaries public, saying it will help strengthen the...

Damning report shows Victoria's ecosystems and threatened species are in significant decline

30 November, 2023 - A damning new report has found Victoria’s ecosystems and threatened species are in a far more dire situation now than they were five years a...

Pill testing could be reality in Victoria by summer 2024, under historic joint bill

30 November, 2023 - The Victorian Greens, the Animal Justice Party, and Legalise Cannabis Victoria will today introduce a joint bill that would establish pill t...

Victorian Labor's refusal to sign on to Murray-Darling Basin plan will leave regional communities high and dry

30 November, 2023 - The Victorian Greens have urged the Victorian Labor Government to sign on to the new Murray-Darling Basin plan, citing concerns that local c...