Hi. I’m Samantha.

I am the Leader of the Victorian Greens and an Upper House MP for the Northern Metropolitan region.

I got involved in politics because I was really worried about the impact of climate change and wanted to help protect our planet.

Before being elected to local government in 2012, I worked as 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.

‘Through this work, I learned that the decisions our politicians make can change lives.’

I spent five years as a Councillor at the City of Moreland, where I was elected the first Greens Mayor of Moreland in 2015. I loved being able to work closely with our local community to take strong climate action, protect our local environment, create more green open space and promote sustainable transport.

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 and increased the council’s cycling infrastructure budget by 75% in the first year.

As the portfolio holder for planning, I fought for better quality sustainable development as well as to protect residents’ appeal rights in planning matters and voted against more poker machines in the city.

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.

‘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.

Samantha Ratnam
Leader of the Victorian Greens
Member for Northern Metropolitan Region