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| office1 = [[Australian Greens Victoria#State leaders|Leader of the Victorian Greens]]
| office1 = [[Australian Greens Victoria#State leaders|Leader of the Victorian Greens]]
| term_start1 = 12 October 2017
| term_start1 = 12 October 2017
| term_end1 =
| term_end1 = 23 April 2024
| deputy1 = [[Nina Springle]] <small>(2017–18)</small><br />[[Ellen Sandell]] <small>(2018–present)</small>
| deputy1 = [[Nina Springle]] <small>(2017–2018)</small><br />[[Ellen Sandell]] <small>(2018–2024)</small>
| predecessor1 = [[Greg Barber]]
| predecessor1 = [[Greg Barber]]
| successor1 =
| successor1 = [[Ellen Sandell]]
| office2 = Member of the [[Victorian Legislative Council]]
| office2 = Member of the [[Victorian Legislative Council]]
| term_start2 = 19 October 2017
| term_start2 = 19 October 2017
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| deputy2 =
| deputy2 =
| successor2 =
| successor2 =
| office3 = [[List of mayors of Moreland|Mayor of Moreland]]
| office3 = 15th [[List of mayors of Moreland|Mayor of Moreland]]
| term_start3 = 2015
| term_start3 = November 2015
| term_end3 = 2016
| term_end3 = November 2016
| predecessor3 = Meghan Hopper
| predecessor3 = Meghan Hopper
| successor3 = Helen Davidson
| successor3 = Helen Davidson
| office4 = [[Councillor]] for [[City of Moreland]]
| office4 = Councillor of the [[City of Merri-bek|City of Moreland]] <br/> for [[City of Merri-bek|South Ward]]
| term_start4 = 1 October 2012
| term_start4 = 1 October 2012
| term_end4 = 11 October 2017
| term_end4 = 11 October 2017
| predecessor4 = Josephine Connellan
| successor4 = Jess Dorney
| birth_name =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1977}}<ref name=Guardian>{{cite news |last=Kolovos |first=Benita |date=13 November 2022 |title=Samantha Ratnam, the march of the Greens and the unfulfilled promise of the ‘most progressive government’ ever |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/nov/13/samantha-ratnam-the-march-of-the-greens-and-the-unfulfilled-promise-of-the-most-progressive-government-ever |work=[[Guardian Australia]] }}</ref>
| birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1977}}<ref name=Guardian>{{cite news |last=Kolovos |first=Benita |date=13 November 2022 |title=Samantha Ratnam, the march of the Greens and the unfulfilled promise of the 'most progressive government' ever |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/nov/13/samantha-ratnam-the-march-of-the-greens-and-the-unfulfilled-promise-of-the-most-progressive-government-ever |work=[[Guardian Australia]] }}</ref>
| birth_place = [[England]], [[United Kingdom]]<ref name=Guardian/>
| birth_place = [[England]], [[United Kingdom]]<ref name=Guardian/>
| nationality = Australian
| nationality = Australian
| party = [[Australian Greens Victoria|Greens]]
| party = [[Australian Greens Victoria|Greens]]
| residence = [[Brunswick East, Victoria|Brunswick East]], [[Melbourne]], [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]]<ref name=Age>{{cite news |last=Fyfe |first=Melissa |date=16 November 2022 |title=She’s a safe pair of hands, but Greens leader needs her ‘Google it, mate’ moment |url=https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/she-s-a-safe-pair-of-hands-but-greens-leader-needs-her-google-it-mate-moment-20221021-p5brtn.html |work=The Age }}</ref>
| residence = [[Brunswick East, Victoria|Brunswick East]], [[Melbourne]], [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]]<ref name=Age>{{cite news |last=Fyfe |first=Melissa |date=16 November 2022 |title=She's a safe pair of hands, but Greens leader needs her 'Google it, mate' moment |url=https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/she-s-a-safe-pair-of-hands-but-greens-leader-needs-her-google-it-mate-moment-20221021-p5brtn.html |work=The Age }}</ref>
| children = 1<ref name=Age/>
| children = 1<ref name=Age/>
| spouse = Colin Jacobs<ref name=Age/>
| spouse = Colin Jacobs<ref name=Age/>
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| education = [[Mullauna College]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://hansard.parliament.vic.gov.au/?IW_INDEX=Hansard-2017-2&IW_FIELD_TEXT=SpeechIdKey%20CONTAINS%20%281-11-2017_council_48%29%20AND%20OrderId%20CONTAINS%20%280%29&LDMS=Y |title=Samantha Ratnam – Inaugural Speech |last= |first= |date=1 November 2017 |website=hansard.parliament.vic.gov.au |publisher=[[Parliament of Victoria]] }}</ref>
| education = [[Mullauna College]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://hansard.parliament.vic.gov.au/?IW_INDEX=Hansard-2017-2&IW_FIELD_TEXT=SpeechIdKey%20CONTAINS%20%281-11-2017_council_48%29%20AND%20OrderId%20CONTAINS%20%280%29&LDMS=Y |title=Samantha Ratnam – Inaugural Speech |last= |first= |date=1 November 2017 |website=hansard.parliament.vic.gov.au |publisher=[[Parliament of Victoria]] }}</ref>
| occupation = {{hlist|Social worker|Politician}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Social worker|Politician}}
| signature =
| signature = Samantha Ratnam signature 2023.svg
| website = {{URL|greens.org.au/vic/samantharatnam|Samantha Ratnam website}}
| website = {{URL|greens.org.au/vic/samantharatnam|Samantha Ratnam website}}
}}
}}
'''Samantha Shantini Ratnam''' (born 1977) is an Australian social worker, politician and the current leader of the [[Australian Greens Victoria|Victorian Greens]]. Since October 2017 Ratnam has been a member of the [[Victorian Legislative Council]], representing the [[Northern Metropolitan Region]]. Prior to this she was a councillor and mayor for the [[City of Moreland]].
'''Samantha Shantini Ratnam''' ({{lang-ta|சமந்தா இரத்தினம்}}; born 1977) is a British-Australian social worker and politician. She was the leader of the [[Australian Greens Victoria|Victorian Greens]] between 2017 and 2024, serving as a member of the [[Victorian Legislative Council]] in the [[Northern Metropolitan Region]]. Prior to this she was a councillor and mayor for the [[City of Moreland]].


==Early life==
==Early life==
Born in England and raised in Sri Lanka,<ref name="tamilc">{{cite news|last1=Kandiah|first1=Shanelle|title=Meet the Mayor of Moreland, Australia: Samantha Ratnam|url=https://tamilculture.com/meet-the-mayor-of-moreland-australia-samantha-ratnam/|accessdate=12 October 2017|work=Tamil Culture|date=22 March 2016}}</ref> Samantha Ratnam and her family left the country after the '[[Black July]]' 1983 riots in Colombo that gave rise to 30-year [[Sri Lankan Civil War]] between the government and [[Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam]], a Tamil separatist group. The family eventually settled in Australia after spending time in Europe and Canada.<ref name="mayor">{{cite web |last=Reynolds |first=Peter |title=Moreland Council elects first Green mayor Samantha Ratnam |url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/north-west/moreland-council-elects-first-green-mayor-samantha-ratnam/news-story/e7cd42aa79241381e230e4d9d725a6ba |publisher=Moreland Leader/Herald Sun|date=30 October 2015 |accessdate=27 September 2016}}</ref>
Born in [[England]] and raised in [[Sri Lanka]],<ref name="tamilc">{{cite news|last1=Kandiah|first1=Shanelle|title=Meet the Mayor of Moreland, Australia: Samantha Ratnam|url=https://tamilculture.com/meet-the-mayor-of-moreland-australia-samantha-ratnam/|accessdate=12 October 2017|work=Tamil Culture|date=22 March 2016}}</ref> Samantha Ratnam and her family left the country after the '[[Black July]]' 1983 riots in [[Colombo]] that gave rise to 30-year [[Sri Lankan Civil War]] between the government and [[Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam]], a Tamil separatist group. The family eventually settled in Australia after spending time in Europe and Canada.<ref name="mayor">{{cite web |last=Reynolds |first=Peter |title=Moreland Council elects first Green mayor Samantha Ratnam |url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/north-west/moreland-council-elects-first-green-mayor-samantha-ratnam/news-story/e7cd42aa79241381e230e4d9d725a6ba |publisher=Moreland Leader/Herald Sun|date=30 October 2015 |accessdate=27 September 2016}}</ref>


From 1995 to 2001 Samantha Ratnam completed a [[Bachelor of Arts]] and a [[Bachelor of Social Work]] ([[Honours degree|Honours]]) from the [[University of Melbourne]]. In 2014, she completed her [[Doctor of Philosophy]], titled 'Young people and global citizenship: New possibilities for civic participation', also from the University of Melbourne.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Young people and global citizenship: new possibilities for civic participation|url=http://hdl.handle.net/11343/52650|url-status=live|access-date=2021-06-16|website=[[Minerva Access]]}}</ref>
From 1995 to 2001 Samantha Ratnam completed a [[Bachelor of Arts]] and a [[Bachelor of Social Work]] ([[Honours degree|Honours]]) from the [[University of Melbourne]]. In 2014, she completed her [[Doctor of Philosophy]], titled 'Young people and global citizenship: New possibilities for civic participation', also from the University of Melbourne.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Young people and global citizenship: new possibilities for civic participation |url=http://hdl.handle.net/11343/52650 |access-date=2021-06-16 |website=Minerva Access|hdl=11343/52650 }}</ref>


Ratnam has worked in various roles in assisting migrants and asylum seekers including at the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, in the fields of drug and alcohol rehabilitation, mental health and international development.<ref name="mayor" />
Ratnam has worked in various roles in assisting migrants and asylum seekers including at the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, in the fields of drug and alcohol rehabilitation, mental health and international development.<ref name="mayor" />


In April 2014 Samantha Ratnam explained in ''The Indian Sun'', an online publication for the Australian-Indian community how she is a product of diaspora and her motivations for entering politics.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kallivayalil |first=Tanu |title=Taking a Stand |url=http://www.theindiansun.com.au/taking-stand/ |publisher=The Indian Sun |date=24 April 2014| accessdate=29 September 2016}}</ref>
In April 2014, Samantha Ratnam explained in ''The Indian Sun'', an online publication for the [[Indian Australians|Australian-Indian]] community how she is a product of diaspora and her motivations for entering politics.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kallivayalil |first=Tanu |title=Taking a Stand |url=http://www.theindiansun.com.au/taking-stand/ |publisher=The Indian Sun |date=24 April 2014| accessdate=29 September 2016}}</ref>


==Moreland Council==
==Political career==
===Moreland City Council===
Ratnam first stood for and was elected to the City of Moreland Council for South Ward in 2012 as one of three Ward Councillors.<ref name="mayor" /> In 2016 she was re-elected with her vote more than doubling to over 55 percent of the ward vote.<ref>{{cite news |last=Choahan |first=Neelima |title=Greens vote surges in Victorian council elections |url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/greens-showing-a-strong-surge-in-early-counting-across-both-sides-of-the-yarra-20161022-gs8hm2.html |publisher=The Age |date=23 October 2016| accessdate=23 October 2016}}</ref>
Ratnam first stood for and was elected to the [[City of Merri-bek|City of Moreland]] (now [[City of Merri-bek]]) Council for [[City of Merri-bek|South Ward]] in [[2012 Victorian local elections|2012]].<ref name="mayor" /> In [[2016 Victorian local elections|2016]], she was re-elected with her vote more than doubling to 50.71%.<ref>{{cite news |last=Choahan |first=Neelima |title=Greens vote surges in Victorian council elections |url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/greens-showing-a-strong-surge-in-early-counting-across-both-sides-of-the-yarra-20161022-gs8hm2.html |publisher=The Age |date=23 October 2016| accessdate=23 October 2016}}</ref>


In 2015 she was elected by councillors as the first Greens mayor of Moreland for 2016 in a 6 to 5 vote with Independent Councillor Helen Davidson and [[Socialist Alliance (Australia)|Socialist Alliance]] Councillor Sue Bolton supporting her bid for the mayor.<ref name="mayor" /> Her election as Mayor was even noted in the country of her heritage, Sri Lanka,<ref>{{cite web |title=Lankan born woman elected Mayor of Australian city |url=http://nation.lk/online/2015/10/30/lankan-born-woman-elected-mayor-of-australian-city.html |publisher=Weekend Nation (Sri Lanka) |date=30 October 2015| accessdate=29 September 2016}}</ref> and by the Indian community in Australia,<ref>{{cite web |title=Samanta Ratnam – New Mayor for Moreland City Council |url=http://www.india2australia.com/samanta-ratnam-mayor-moreland-city-council/ |publisher=India2Australia |date=27 October 2015| accessdate=29 September 2016}}</ref> and in Tamil culture.<ref>{{cite web |last= Kandiah |first= Shanelle |title=Meet the Mayor of Moreland, Australia: Samantha Ratnam |url=http://tamilculture.com/meet-the-mayor-of-moreland-australia-samantha-ratnam/ |publisher=TamilCulture |date=22 March 2016| accessdate=29 September 2016}}</ref>
In 2015 she was elected by councillors as the first Greens mayor of Moreland for 2016 in a 6 to 5 vote with Independent Councillor Helen Davidson and [[Socialist Alliance (Australia)|Socialist Alliance]] Councillor Sue Bolton supporting her bid for the mayor.<ref name="mayor" /> Her election as Mayor was even noted in the country of her heritage, Sri Lanka,<ref>{{cite web |title=Lankan born woman elected Mayor of Australian city |url=http://nation.lk/online/2015/10/30/lankan-born-woman-elected-mayor-of-australian-city.html |publisher=Weekend Nation (Sri Lanka) |date=30 October 2015| accessdate=29 September 2016}}</ref> and by the Indian community in Australia,<ref>{{cite web |title=Samanta Ratnam – New Mayor for Moreland City Council |url=http://www.india2australia.com/samanta-ratnam-mayor-moreland-city-council/ |publisher=India2Australia |date=27 October 2015| accessdate=29 September 2016}}</ref> and in Tamil culture.<ref>{{cite web |last= Kandiah |first= Shanelle |title=Meet the Mayor of Moreland, Australia: Samantha Ratnam |url=http://tamilculture.com/meet-the-mayor-of-moreland-australia-samantha-ratnam/ |publisher=TamilCulture |date=22 March 2016| accessdate=29 September 2016}}</ref>


In her time on the council, Ratnam was instrumental in removing official council references to [[Australia Day]], saying “this is a gesture of respect and an important step in healing”.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://theage.com.au/victoria/moreland-city-council-keeps-citizenship-ceremony-dumps-australia-day-20170913-gygylg.html|title=Moreland City Council keeps citizenship ceremony, dumps Australia Day|work=The Age (Fairfax Media)|date=13 September 2017}}</ref> Ratnam resigned from the council on 11 October 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://heraldsun.com.au/leader/north-west/greens-councillor-samantha-ratnam-resigns-from-moreland-council-ahead-of-taking-up-position-in-victorian-parliament/news-story/28d650f67a15fd739126203c9cfc76a7|title=Greens councillor Samantha Ratnam resigns from Moreland Council ahead of taking up position in Victorian parliament|work=Herald Sun|date=11 October 2017}}</ref>
In her time on the council, Ratnam was instrumental in removing official council references to [[Australia Day]], saying “this is a gesture of respect and an important step in healing”.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://theage.com.au/victoria/moreland-city-council-keeps-citizenship-ceremony-dumps-australia-day-20170913-gygylg.html|title=Moreland City Council keeps citizenship ceremony, dumps Australia Day|work=The Age (Fairfax Media)|date=13 September 2017}}</ref> Ratnam resigned from the council on 11 October 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://heraldsun.com.au/leader/north-west/greens-councillor-samantha-ratnam-resigns-from-moreland-council-ahead-of-taking-up-position-in-victorian-parliament/news-story/28d650f67a15fd739126203c9cfc76a7|title=Greens councillor Samantha Ratnam resigns from Moreland Council ahead of taking up position in Victorian parliament|work=Herald Sun|date=11 October 2017}}</ref>
[[File:Selfie time- Adam Bandt, Samantha Ratnam and Alex Bhathal at Greens launch for -Wills2016.jpg|thumb|Ratnam (centre) at an event for her 2016 campaign in Wills, with [[Adam Bandt]] (left) and Greens candidate for [[Division of Batman|Batman]] [[Alex Bhathal]] (right).]]


==2016 Federal election campaign==
===2016 federal election===
Ahead of the [[2016 Australian federal election|2016 federal election]] the Greens preselected Ratnam to stand in the [[Division of Wills]], where the sitting MP [[Kelvin Thomson]] was retiring.<ref>{{cite web |last=Willingham |first=Richard |title=Greens enlist Moreland mayor for assault on Wills |url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/greens-enlist-moreland-mayor-for-assault-on-wills-20160129-gmgt86.html |publisher=The Age |date=30 January 2016| accessdate=27 September 2016}}</ref>
Ahead of the [[2016 Australian federal election|2016 federal election]] the Greens preselected Ratnam to stand in the [[Division of Wills]], where the sitting [[Australian Labor Party|Labor]] MP [[Kelvin Thomson]] was retiring.<ref>{{cite web |last=Willingham |first=Richard |title=Greens enlist Moreland mayor for assault on Wills |url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/greens-enlist-moreland-mayor-for-assault-on-wills-20160129-gmgt86.html |publisher=The Age |date=30 January 2016| accessdate=27 September 2016}}</ref>


Although Ratnam substantially increased the Greens vote with a swing greater than 10 percentage points in Wills, the Labor candidate [[Peter Khalil]] won the seat with a 4.88 point margin.<ref>{{cite web |title=Wills, Vic. AEC Tallyroom |url=http://results.aec.gov.au/20499/Website/HouseDivisionPage-20499-234.htm |publisher=Australian Electoral Commission |date=22 July 2016| accessdate=27 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Heath |first=Tamara |title=Labor's Peter Khalil claims Wills, but Samantha Ratnam and the Greens the big winners |url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/north-west/labors-peter-khalil-claims-wills-but-samantha-ratnam-and-the-greens-the-big-winners/news-story/5014af30807afe41e2bf994233665430 |publisher=Moreland Leader/Herald Sun |date=4 July 2016| accessdate=27 September 2016}}</ref>
Although Ratnam substantially increased the Greens vote with a swing greater than 10 percentage points in Wills, the Labor candidate [[Peter Khalil]] won the seat with a 4.88 point margin.<ref>{{cite web |title=Wills, Vic. AEC Tallyroom |url=http://results.aec.gov.au/20499/Website/HouseDivisionPage-20499-234.htm |publisher=Australian Electoral Commission |date=22 July 2016| accessdate=27 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Heath |first=Tamara |title=Labor's Peter Khalil claims Wills, but Samantha Ratnam and the Greens the big winners |url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/north-west/labors-peter-khalil-claims-wills-but-samantha-ratnam-and-the-greens-the-big-winners/news-story/5014af30807afe41e2bf994233665430 |publisher=Moreland Leader/Herald Sun |date=4 July 2016| accessdate=27 September 2016}}</ref>


==State politics==
===State politics===
Ratnam filled the vacant [[Victorian Legislative Council|Legislative Council]] seat of former [[Australian Greens Victoria|Victorian Greens]] leader [[Greg Barber]], who announced his retirement from politics on 28 September 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-09-28/victorian-greens-leader-greg-barber-quits-parliament-immediately/8997594|title=Victorian Greens leader Greg Barber quits Parliament|website=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=28 September 2017}}</ref> On 12 October 2017, prior to having officially filled Barber's seat, Ratnam was appointed as [[Australian Greens Victoria#State leaders|leader of the Victorian Greens]], becoming the first woman to lead the party at a state level.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://abc.net.au/news/2017-10-12/samantha-ratnam-announced-new-leader-of-victorian-greens/9042790?pfmredir=sm|title=Victorian Greens appoint Samantha Ratnam to replace Greg Barber as state leader|work=ABC News|date=12 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/greens-name-exmayor-of-moreland-as-party-leader-before-she-even-takes-her-seat-20171012-gyzb4f.html|title=Greens name ex-mayor of Moreland as party leader before she even takes her seat|work=The Age (Fairfax Media)|date=12 October 2017}}</ref> She was officially sworn in as a member of the Legislative Council on 19 October 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/about/news/3942-new-mlc-sworn-in|title=New MLC sworn in; Dr. Samantha Ratnam|work=Parliament of Victoria|date=19 October 2017}}</ref> Ratnam was re-elected in the Northern Metropolitan region at the [[2018 Victorian state election|2018 state election]], though her four party colleagues failed to win back their seats and she became the only Greens member of the Legislative Council.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-12-11/upper-house-victorian-election-results-labor-dominant/10605464|title=Victorian election Upper House calculation results confirm Labor, crossbench domination|work=ABC News|date=11 December 2018}}</ref>
Ratnam filled the vacant [[Victorian Legislative Council|Legislative Council]] seat of former [[Victorian Greens]] leader [[Greg Barber]], who announced his retirement from politics on 28 September 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-09-28/victorian-greens-leader-greg-barber-quits-parliament-immediately/8997594|title=Victorian Greens leader Greg Barber quits Parliament|website=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=28 September 2017}}</ref> On 12 October 2017, prior to having officially filled Barber's seat, Ratnam was appointed as [[Australian Greens Victoria#State leaders|leader of the Victorian Greens]], becoming the first woman to lead the party at a state level.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://abc.net.au/news/2017-10-12/samantha-ratnam-announced-new-leader-of-victorian-greens/9042790?pfmredir=sm|title=Victorian Greens appoint Samantha Ratnam to replace Greg Barber as state leader|work=ABC News|date=12 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/greens-name-exmayor-of-moreland-as-party-leader-before-she-even-takes-her-seat-20171012-gyzb4f.html|title=Greens name ex-mayor of Moreland as party leader before she even takes her seat|work=The Age (Fairfax Media)|date=12 October 2017}}</ref> She was officially sworn in as a member of the Legislative Council on 19 October 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/about/news/3942-new-mlc-sworn-in|title=New MLC sworn in; Dr. Samantha Ratnam|work=Parliament of Victoria|date=19 October 2017}}</ref>


Ratnam was re-elected in the Northern Metropolitan region at the [[2018 Victorian state election|2018 state election]], though her four party colleagues failed to win back their seats and she became the only Greens member of the Legislative Council.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-12-11/upper-house-victorian-election-results-labor-dominant/10605464|title=Victorian election Upper House calculation results confirm Labor, crossbench domination|work=ABC News|date=11 December 2018}}</ref>
During her time in state politics, Ratnam has led calls for action on climate change, affordable housing for all, integrity in politics and justice for First Nations people. She has introduced the legislation into the Victorian Parliament to:
*Transition Victoria out of coal by 2030
*Give IBAC more powers and strengthen integrity in politics
*Protect the rights of LGBTIQA students
*Transition from gas to clean energy
*End homelessness and ensure housing is a human right
*Stop new coal and gas projects
*End native forest logging
*Reduce gambling harms
*Stop the over incarceration of First Nations people and women by reforming our bail laws
*Stop evictions of renters during the COVID-19 pandemic
*Set targets for public housing to help end homelessness
*Improve bike safety with safe overtaking distances for cars
*Create a pill testing pilot program to reduce the harm of drug use
*Give public housing residents greater rights and access to an Ombudsman
*Improve recycling through a cash for cans scheme
*Raise the age of criminal responsibility to 14 to stop First Nations children being incarcerated<ref>Parliament of Victoria Notice Paper No. 177, https://inotes1.parliament.vic.gov.au/PARLIAMENT/General/PubPDocs.nsf/xsp/.ibmmodres/domino/OpenAttachment/PARLIAMENT/General/PubPDocs.nsf/801F5B7720FD8587CA2588C3002E9FB8/$File/NP177.pdf?Open</ref>


=== Tenure ===
⚫
Ratnam also established Parliamentary Inquiries into the growing threat of far-right extremism (2022),<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/far-right-threat-to-democracy-under-spotlight-as-andrews-government-backs-probe-20211130-p59dfy.html | title=Far-right threat under spotlight as Andrews government backs probe | date=30 November 2021 }}</ref> into the biodiversity extinction crisis (2019),<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/dec/03/victorian-government-pressed-to-deliver-promised-funding-for-threatened-plants-and-animals | title=Victorian government pressed to deliver promised funding for threatened plants and animals | website=[[TheGuardian.com]] | date=2 December 2021 }}</ref> the waste and recycling crisis (2019).<ref>{{cite web | url=https://wastemanagementreview.com.au/victorian-parliamentary-inquiry-into-waste-crisis/ | title=Victorian parliamentary inquiry into 'waste crisis' - Waste Management Review Victorian parliamentary inquiry into 'waste crisis' | date=8 March 2019 }}</ref>
[[File:Ratnam antifascism rally 2019 2.jpg|thumb|Ratnam speaking at an anti-fascism rally in 2019.]]
⚫
During her time in state politics, Ratnam has established parliamentary inquiries into the growing threat of [[far-right politics|far-right extremism]] (2022),<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/far-right-threat-to-democracy-under-spotlight-as-andrews-government-backs-probe-20211130-p59dfy.html | title=Far-right threat under spotlight as Andrews government backs probe | date=30 November 2021 }}</ref> the biodiversity extinction crisis (2019),<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/dec/03/victorian-government-pressed-to-deliver-promised-funding-for-threatened-plants-and-animals | title=Victorian government pressed to deliver promised funding for threatened plants and animals | website=[[TheGuardian.com]] | date=2 December 2021 }}</ref> and the waste and recycling crisis (2019).<ref>{{cite web | url=https://wastemanagementreview.com.au/victorian-parliamentary-inquiry-into-waste-crisis/ | title=Victorian parliamentary inquiry into 'waste crisis' - Waste Management Review Victorian parliamentary inquiry into 'waste crisis' | date=8 March 2019 }}</ref>


According to The Age, between November 2018 and November 2021, Ratnam voted with the Andrews Government's position 62.4% of the time, the fourth-most of any Legislative Council crossbencher.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sakkal |first1=Paul |title='Is this what compliant looks like?': Victoria's crossbench conflict |url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/is-this-what-compliant-looks-like-victoria-s-crossbench-conflict-20211124-p59bnh.html |website=The Age |publisher=Fairfax Media |access-date=1 December 2021}}</ref>
According to ''The Age'', between November 2018 and November 2021, Ratnam voted with the Andrews Government's position 62.4% of the time, the fourth-most of any Legislative Council crossbencher.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sakkal |first1=Paul |title='Is this what compliant looks like?': Victoria's crossbench conflict |url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/is-this-what-compliant-looks-like-victoria-s-crossbench-conflict-20211124-p59bnh.html |website=The Age |date=26 November 2021 |publisher=Fairfax Media |access-date=1 December 2021}}</ref>

In 2023, Ratnam threatened to block a proposal by the Labor Party in Victoria to increase housing supply unless half of all new developments were either affordable housing or public housing.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Kolovos |first=Benita |date=2023-06-16 |title=Victorian Greens threaten to block planning changes unless housing demands met |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/jun/16/victorian-greens-threaten-to-block-planning-changes-unless-housing-demands-met |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> At the time, South Australia required that 15% of all new development were affordable housing, of which 5% were for the highest-need groups.<ref name=":0" /> She said that for the Greens to support reforms to increase housing supply, "the reforms must demonstrate that they meaningfully address housing affordability, and are not merely a free ride for the property industry."<ref name=":0" /> Ratnam also called for a two-year [[Rent regulation|rent freeze]].<ref name=":0" />

===Upcoming federal election===
In April 2024 Ratnam announced her intention to run for Greens preselection for the federal seat of Wills. After preselection was completed Ratnam was announced as the Greens candidate for Wills.


==Academic research==
==Academic research==
As a social work PhD student, Ratnam contributed to a number of peer-reviewed research papers and academic books, including:
As a social work PhD student, Ratnam contributed to a number of peer-reviewed research papers and academic books, including:
*The Nobody's Clients Project: Identifying and Addressing the Needs of Children with Substance Dependent Parents: Full Report – 2004 – Odyssey Institute of Studies {{ISBN|0975714805}}
*The Nobody's Clients Project: Identifying and Addressing the Needs of Children with Substance Dependent Parents: Full Report – 2004 – Odyssey Institute of Studies {{ISBN|0975714805}}
*Identifying Children's Needs When Parents Access Drug Treatment: The Utility of a Brief Screening Measure – 12 October 2008 – Taylor and Francis Online [http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1300/J160v06n01_07]
*Identifying Children's Needs When Parents Access Drug Treatment: The Utility of a Brief Screening Measure – 12 October 2008 – Taylor and Francis Online [http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1300/J160v06n01_07]
*Global Connections: ‘A Tool for Active Citizenship’ – 20 October 2009 – Taylor and Francis Online [http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09614520903220776]
*Global Connections: ‘A Tool for Active Citizenship’ – 20 October 2009 – Taylor and Francis Online [http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09614520903220776]
*Youth-led Learning: Local Connections & Global Citizenship. Australian Youth Research Centre, Melbourne Graduate School of Education, University of Melbourne, 2008 {{ISBN|0734039859}}
*Youth-led Learning: Local Connections & Global Citizenship. Australian Youth Research Centre, Melbourne Graduate School of Education, University of Melbourne, 2008 {{ISBN|0734039859}}
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==References==
==References==
{{Commons category|Samantha Ratnam}}
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


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{{s-bef|before=[[Greg Barber]] }}
{{s-ttl|title=Leader of the [[Australian Greens Victoria]] |years=2017–present}}
{{s-ttl|title=Leader of the [[Australian Greens Victoria]] |years=2017–2024}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Ellen Sandell]]}}
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[[Category:Australian social workers]]
[[Category:Australian social workers]]
[[Category:Politicians from Melbourne]]
[[Category:Politicians from Melbourne]]
[[Category:Mayors of places in Victoria (Australia)]]
[[Category:Mayors of places in Victoria (state)]]
[[Category:Victoria (state) local councillors]]
[[Category:University of Melbourne alumni]]
[[Category:University of Melbourne alumni]]
[[Category:University of Melbourne women]]
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[[Category:Sri Lankan emigrants to Australia]]
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[[Category:Sri Lankan emigrants to Canada]]
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[[Category:Australian people of Sri Lankan Tamil descent]]
[[Category:Australian people of Sri Lankan Tamil descent]]
[[Category:Women members of the Victorian Legislative Council]]
[[Category:Women members of the Victorian Legislative Council]]
[[Category:Women mayors of places in Victoria (Australia)]]
[[Category:Women mayors of places in Victoria (state)]]
[[Category:21st-century Australian politicians]]
[[Category:21st-century Australian politicians]]
[[Category:21st-century Australian women politicians]]
[[Category:21st-century Australian women politicians]]
[[Category:Australian politicians of Asian descent]]

Latest revision as of 10:33, 8 July 2024

Samantha Ratnam
MLC
Samantha Ratnam
Leader of the Victorian Greens
In office
12 October 2017 – 23 April 2024
DeputyNina Springle (2017–2018)
Ellen Sandell (2018–2024)
Preceded byGreg Barber
Succeeded byEllen Sandell
Member of the Victorian Legislative Council
Incumbent
Assumed office
19 October 2017
Preceded byGreg Barber
ConstituencyNorthern Metropolitan Region
15th Mayor of Moreland
In office
November 2015 – November 2016
Preceded byMeghan Hopper
Succeeded byHelen Davidson
Councillor of the City of Moreland
for South Ward
In office
1 October 2012 – 11 October 2017
Preceded byJosephine Connellan
Succeeded byJess Dorney
Personal details
Born1977 (age 46–47)[1]
England, United Kingdom[1]
NationalityAustralian
Political partyGreens
SpouseColin Jacobs[2]
Children1[2]
Residence(s)Brunswick East, Melbourne, Victoria[2]
BildungMullauna College[3]
Alma materUniversity of Melbourne
Occupation
  • Social worker
  • Politician
Signature
WebsiteSamantha Ratnam website

Samantha Shantini Ratnam (Tamil: சமந்தா இரத்தினம்; born 1977) is a British-Australian social worker and politician. She was the leader of the Victorian Greens between 2017 and 2024, serving as a member of the Victorian Legislative Council in the Northern Metropolitan Region. Prior to this she was a councillor and mayor for the City of Moreland.

Early life

[edit]

Born in England and raised in Sri Lanka,[4] Samantha Ratnam and her family left the country after the 'Black July' 1983 riots in Colombo that gave rise to 30-year Sri Lankan Civil War between the government and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, a Tamil separatist group. The family eventually settled in Australia after spending time in Europe and Canada.[5]

From 1995 to 2001 Samantha Ratnam completed a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) from the University of Melbourne. In 2014, she completed her Doctor of Philosophy, titled 'Young people and global citizenship: New possibilities for civic participation', also from the University of Melbourne.[6]

Ratnam has worked in various roles in assisting migrants and asylum seekers including at the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, in the fields of drug and alcohol rehabilitation, mental health and international development.[5]

In April 2014, Samantha Ratnam explained in The Indian Sun, an online publication for the Australian-Indian community how she is a product of diaspora and her motivations for entering politics.[7]

Political career

[edit]

Moreland City Council

[edit]

Ratnam first stood for and was elected to the City of Moreland (now City of Merri-bek) Council for South Ward in 2012.[5] In 2016, she was re-elected with her vote more than doubling to 50.71%.[8]

In 2015 she was elected by councillors as the first Greens mayor of Moreland for 2016 in a 6 to 5 vote with Independent Councillor Helen Davidson and Socialist Alliance Councillor Sue Bolton supporting her bid for the mayor.[5] Her election as Mayor was even noted in the country of her heritage, Sri Lanka,[9] and by the Indian community in Australia,[10] and in Tamil culture.[11]

In her time on the council, Ratnam was instrumental in removing official council references to Australia Day, saying “this is a gesture of respect and an important step in healing”.[12] Ratnam resigned from the council on 11 October 2017.[13]

Ratnam (centre) at an event for her 2016 campaign in Wills, with Adam Bandt (left) and Greens candidate for Batman Alex Bhathal (right).

2016 federal election

[edit]

Ahead of the 2016 federal election the Greens preselected Ratnam to stand in the Division of Wills, where the sitting Labor MP Kelvin Thomson was retiring.[14]

Although Ratnam substantially increased the Greens vote with a swing greater than 10 percentage points in Wills, the Labor candidate Peter Khalil won the seat with a 4.88 point margin.[15][16]

State politics

[edit]

Ratnam filled the vacant Legislative Council seat of former Victorian Greens leader Greg Barber, who announced his retirement from politics on 28 September 2017.[17] On 12 October 2017, prior to having officially filled Barber's seat, Ratnam was appointed as leader of the Victorian Greens, becoming the first woman to lead the party at a state level.[18][19] She was officially sworn in as a member of the Legislative Council on 19 October 2017.[20]

Ratnam was re-elected in the Northern Metropolitan region at the 2018 state election, though her four party colleagues failed to win back their seats and she became the only Greens member of the Legislative Council.[21]

Tenure

[edit]
Ratnam speaking at an anti-fascism rally in 2019.

During her time in state politics, Ratnam has established parliamentary inquiries into the growing threat of far-right extremism (2022),[22] the biodiversity extinction crisis (2019),[23] and the waste and recycling crisis (2019).[24]

According to The Age, between November 2018 and November 2021, Ratnam voted with the Andrews Government's position 62.4% of the time, the fourth-most of any Legislative Council crossbencher.[25]

In 2023, Ratnam threatened to block a proposal by the Labor Party in Victoria to increase housing supply unless half of all new developments were either affordable housing or public housing.[26] At the time, South Australia required that 15% of all new development were affordable housing, of which 5% were for the highest-need groups.[26] She said that for the Greens to support reforms to increase housing supply, "the reforms must demonstrate that they meaningfully address housing affordability, and are not merely a free ride for the property industry."[26] Ratnam also called for a two-year rent freeze.[26]

Upcoming federal election

[edit]

In April 2024 Ratnam announced her intention to run for Greens preselection for the federal seat of Wills. After preselection was completed Ratnam was announced as the Greens candidate for Wills.

Academic research

[edit]

As a social work PhD student, Ratnam contributed to a number of peer-reviewed research papers and academic books, including:

  • The Nobody's Clients Project: Identifying and Addressing the Needs of Children with Substance Dependent Parents: Full Report – 2004 – Odyssey Institute of Studies ISBN 0975714805
  • Identifying Children's Needs When Parents Access Drug Treatment: The Utility of a Brief Screening Measure – 12 October 2008 – Taylor and Francis Online [1]
  • Global Connections: ‘A Tool for Active Citizenship’ – 20 October 2009 – Taylor and Francis Online [2]
  • Youth-led Learning: Local Connections & Global Citizenship. Australian Youth Research Centre, Melbourne Graduate School of Education, University of Melbourne, 2008 ISBN 0734039859
  • Chapter 12 Young People and the future in For We Are Young And ...: Young People in a Time of Uncertainty (Book) By Johanna Wyn, Roger Holdsworth, Sally Beadle – Melbourne Univ. Publishing, 15 March 2011 ISBN 9780522858365
  • Chapter 4 Citizenship beyond status: New paradigms for citizenship education, in Educating for Global Citizenship: A Youth-led Approach to Learning and Partnership by Ani Wierenga, Jose Roberto Guevara. Melbourne Univ. Publishing, 1 February 2013 ISBN 9780522861006
  • Young people and global citizenship: new possibilities for civic participation. 2015 (PhD thesis)[3]

References

[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Samantha Ratnam.
  1. ^ a b Kolovos, Benita (13 November 2022). "Samantha Ratnam, the march of the Greens and the unfulfilled promise of the 'most progressive government' ever". Guardian Australia.
  2. ^ a b c Fyfe, Melissa (16 November 2022). "She's a safe pair of hands, but Greens leader needs her 'Google it, mate' moment". The Age.
  3. ^ "Samantha Ratnam – Inaugural Speech". hansard.parliament.vic.gov.au. Parliament of Victoria. 1 November 2017.
  4. ^ Kandiah, Shanelle (22 March 2016). "Meet the Mayor of Moreland, Australia: Samantha Ratnam". Tamil Culture. Retrieved 12 October 2017.
  5. ^ a b c d Reynolds, Peter (30 October 2015). "Moreland Council elects first Green mayor Samantha Ratnam". Moreland Leader/Herald Sun. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  6. ^ "Young people and global citizenship: new possibilities for civic participation". Minerva Access. hdl:11343/52650. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  7. ^ Kallivayalil, Tanu (24 April 2014). "Taking a Stand". The Indian Sun. Retrieved 29 September 2016.
  8. ^ Choahan, Neelima (23 October 2016). "Greens vote surges in Victorian council elections". The Age. Retrieved 23 October 2016.
  9. ^ "Lankan born woman elected Mayor of Australian city". Weekend Nation (Sri Lanka). 30 October 2015. Retrieved 29 September 2016.
  10. ^ "Samanta Ratnam – New Mayor for Moreland City Council". India2Australia. 27 October 2015. Retrieved 29 September 2016.
  11. ^ Kandiah, Shanelle (22 March 2016). "Meet the Mayor of Moreland, Australia: Samantha Ratnam". TamilCulture. Retrieved 29 September 2016.
  12. ^ "Moreland City Council keeps citizenship ceremony, dumps Australia Day". The Age (Fairfax Media). 13 September 2017.
  13. ^ "Greens councillor Samantha Ratnam resigns from Moreland Council ahead of taking up position in Victorian parliament". Herald Sun. 11 October 2017.
  14. ^ Willingham, Richard (30 January 2016). "Greens enlist Moreland mayor for assault on Wills". The Age. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  15. ^ "Wills, Vic. AEC Tallyroom". Australian Electoral Commission. 22 July 2016. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  16. ^ Heath, Tamara (4 July 2016). "Labor's Peter Khalil claims Wills, but Samantha Ratnam and the Greens the big winners". Moreland Leader/Herald Sun. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  17. ^ "Victorian Greens leader Greg Barber quits Parliament". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 28 September 2017.
  18. ^ "Victorian Greens appoint Samantha Ratnam to replace Greg Barber as state leader". ABC News. 12 October 2017.
  19. ^ "Greens name ex-mayor of Moreland as party leader before she even takes her seat". The Age (Fairfax Media). 12 October 2017.
  20. ^ "New MLC sworn in; Dr. Samantha Ratnam". Parliament of Victoria. 19 October 2017.
  21. ^ "Victorian election Upper House calculation results confirm Labor, crossbench domination". ABC News. 11 December 2018.
  22. ^ "Far-right threat under spotlight as Andrews government backs probe". 30 November 2021.
  23. ^ "Victorian government pressed to deliver promised funding for threatened plants and animals". TheGuardian.com. 2 December 2021.
  24. ^ "Victorian parliamentary inquiry into 'waste crisis' - Waste Management Review Victorian parliamentary inquiry into 'waste crisis'". 8 March 2019.
  25. ^ Sakkal, Paul (26 November 2021). "'Is this what compliant looks like?': Victoria's crossbench conflict". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  26. ^ a b c d Kolovos, Benita (16 June 2023). "Victorian Greens threaten to block planning changes unless housing demands met". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077.
[edit]
Civic offices
Preceded by
Meghan Hopper
 Mayor of the City of Moreland
2015–2016 		Succeeded by
Helen Davidson
Party political offices
Preceded by Leader of the Australian Greens Victoria
2017–2024 		Succeeded by
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