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

Greens to stand up for workers against Labor's harsh WorkCover changes

10 November, 2023 - The Victorian Greens will vote against Labor’s WorkCover changes that will see injured workers denied support or kicked off the scheme. V...

Greens join union, workers at rally outside Coles AGM to stop supermarket price gouging

3 November, 2023 - The Victorian Greens will join the Retail and Fast Food Workers Union (RAFFWU) and Coles workers for a rally outside the supermarket giant’s ...

This year's Melbourne Cup must be the last: Greens

3 November, 2023 - The Victorian Greens have said this year’s Melbourne Cup must be the last, and have called on Labor to spend less money propping up the racin...

Labor isn't taking housing crisis seriously: Greens costing reveals ten times more rentals could be released

2 November, 2023 - The Victorian Greens have said part of their plan to solve the state’s housing crisis could see more than 10,000 homes freed up as rentals, a...

Vacancy tax bill delayed, following Greens pressure for strong housing reform

2 November, 2023 - The Victorian Labor Government has moved to delay a vote on its own state taxation bill, after the Greens said they would need a commitment t...

Woolworths and Coles taking Victorians for a ride, Greens push for inquiry into food affordability

2 November, 2023 - The Victorian Greens have said pressure is mounting on the Victorian Labor Government to take on the supermarket duopoly, after Choice crowne...

Minister diaries should be made public, advisers accountable in wake of Daintree report

31 October, 2023 - The Victorian Greens have said if Labor is serious about curtailing ‘grey level’ corruption in state politics, they must open Ministerial dia...

Labor must stop ignoring experts on pill testing and help save young Victorian lives

23 October, 2023 - The Victorian Greens have said Labor needs stop ignoring expert health advice and introduce pill testing as a matter of urgency, to help keep...

Greens issue challenge to government on housing plan: fix the crisis or we won't support it

19 October, 2023 - &nbsp; The Victorian Greens have said Labor must commit to strong reforms to ease the state’s housing crisis in order to guarantee passage...

Greens launch plan to stop supermarket price gouging

19 October, 2023 - The Victorian Greens have launched a four-point-plan to stop supermarket price gouging.&nbsp; The plan comes off the back of the results o...

Local councillor Rhonda Garad announced as Greens' Mulgrave candidate, the real opposition this election

19 October, 2023 - Dandenong councillor Rhonda Garad has been pre-selected as the Victorian Greens’ candidate for the seat of Mulgrave in the upcoming by-electi...

High Court ruling on electric vehicle tax a victory for climate, Labor must now provide refunds

18 October, 2023 - The Victorian Greens have hailed today’s high court decision to strike down the state’s electric vehicle tax as a victory for the climate, as...

Trans and gender diverse communities have right to gender affirming care

18 October, 2023 - The Victorian Greens have said trans and gender diverse communities across the state should unequivocally be able to access gender affirming ...

Parliamentary Integrity Commissioner an important step, but more integrity reforms needed

17 October, 2023 - The Victorian Greens have welcomed the Victorian Labor Government’s decision to finally move to establish a Parliamentary Integrity Commissio...

Labor's decision to shelve bail reform a retrograde decision that may harm children

5 October, 2023 - The Victorian Greens have slammed Premier Allan’s decision to abandon part of the government’s own bail bill less than 24 hours before it was ...