Dr Samantha Ratnam

Meet Samantha
Before entering Parliament, Samantha was a social worker in the fields of drug and alcohol rehabilitation, international development and settlement services. She was also an elected councillor for the City of Moreland and the first Greens Mayor of Moreland. 
Samantha says the threat of climate change and the need for governments to address it urgently made her want to get involved in politics. This is what prompted her to run for local government and then Parliament. 
The priorities Samantha has for her community are to ensure that we act on climate change and address social inequality. She wants to ensure that her constituents’ voices are being heard and represented in the parliament.  
Samantha’s vision for Victoria’s future is that our people and environment are cared for and protected. She believes that we can achieve this with ending our dependence on coal and gas, 100% clean renewable energy, affordable housing for all, investment in public transport and protecting our native forests from logging. 
The areas of public policy that she is most passionate about are addressing climate change, affordable housing and working towards justice for First Nations. In addition, Samantha is committed to reforming our urban planning system so that everyone has access to housing and the environment is nurtured and protected. 
Positions
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Spokesperson for Housing and Planning since December 2018
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Spokesperson for Community Services since December 2018
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Spokesperson for Women since December 2018
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Spokesperson for Consumer Affairs since December 2018
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Spokesperson for Multiculturalism since December 2018
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Spokesperson for Local Government since December 2018
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Spokesperson for Aboriginal Affairs since December 2018
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Spokesperson for Industrial Relations since December 2018
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Spokesperson for Animals since December 2018
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Leader of The Victorian Greens since October 2017
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Spokesperson for Gambling since October 2017
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Spokesperson for Aboriginal Affairs October 2017 - December 2017
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Spokesperson for Employment and Industrial Relations October 2017 - December 2017
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Spokesperson for Industry and Trade October 2017 - December 2017
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Spokesperson for Agriculture October 2017 - December 2018
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Spokesperson for Regional Development October 2017 - December 2018
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Spokesperson for Planning October 2017 - December 2018
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Spokesperson for Housing October 2017 - December 2018
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Spokesperson for Disability October 2017 - December 2018
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Spokesperson for Veterans October 2017 - December 2018
Committee Memberships
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Member, Legislative Council Environment and Planning Committee since February 2023
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Participating, Legislative Council Legal and Social Issues Committee June 2019 - November 2022
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Member, Legislative Council Environment and Planning Committee February 2019 - November 2022
Electorate
Northern Metropolitan
Leaflet map showing the electorate of Northern Metropolitan.
Other members for this area
Each region is made up of 11 districts, which have one member each.
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Bronwyn Halfpenny | Thomastown | Australian Labor Party
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Kathleen Matthews-Ward | Broadmeadows | Australian Labor Party
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Ellen Sandell | Melbourne | The Australian Greens - Victoria
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Anthony Cianflone | Pascoe Vale | Australian Labor Party
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Gabrielle de Vietri | Richmond | The Australian Greens - Victoria
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Danny Pearson | Essendon | Australian Labor Party
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Tim Read | Brunswick | The Australian Greens - Victoria
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Nathan Lambert | Preston | Australian Labor Party
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Kat Theophanous | Northcote | Australian Labor Party
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Ros Spence | Kalkallo | Australian Labor Party
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Iwan Walters | Greenvale | Australian Labor Party
Electorate office
Contact the electorate office for matters about your community.