Ellen Sandell appointed new leader of Victorian Greens

Melbourne MP Ellen Sandell has been appointed the new leader of the Victorian Greens after Samantha Ratnam revealed she would resign to have a tilt at federal politics.

Ellen Sandell will take over from Samantha Ratnam as leader of the Victorian Greens. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Melbourne MP Ellen Sandell has been appointed the new leader of the Victorian Greens.

The minor party on Tuesday announced Ms Sandell had been promoted after Samantha Ratnam announced she would resign from the parliament to have a tilt at federal politics.

Ms Sandell, who up until recently served as Dr Ratnam’s deputy, said she was honoured to receive “unanimous” support from the party room.

Western Victoria MP Sarah Mansfield, from the upper house, and Prahran MP Sam Hibbins, from the lower house, will share the role of deputy leader.

Ms Sandell, a scientist and climate activist, named the housing crisis as her biggest policy priority area.

Her first order of business will be to demand the Allan government make it illegal for landlords to impose unlimited rent increases.

Ellen Sandell, a scientist and climate activist, says the housing crisis is her biggest policy priority area. Picture: AAP

“People continue to be let down by Labor and Liberal politicians who refuse to do anything to fix the housing crisis, the cost of living crisis, and the climate crisis continues,” Ms Sandell said.

“The Greens are here to shake things up, win more seats, and put pressure on Labor in Victoria to deliver the things people need – like secure housing, affordable food and a safe and healthy climate.

Dr Ratnam was last week formally announced as the Greens’ candidate for the federal seat of Wills, which covers Melbourne’s northern suburbs including Brunswick, Coburg, Pascoe Vale, Fawkner and Glenroy.

At the 2022 election, the Greens came second to Labor in Wills on a two-candidate-preferred basis.

Dr Ratnam will resign from the Victorian parliament by the end of this year.