National

Vic Greens leader eyes Labor seat at next federal poll

By AAP Newswire

Apr 4, 2024

A file photo of Samantha Ratnam — Victorian Greens Leader Samantha Ratnam wants to contest the federal seat of Wills. -AAP Image

Samantha Ratnam will likely step down as Victorian Greens leader as she vies to enter federal parliament.

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The 47-year-old Victorian MP on Thursday announced she will nominate to become the Greens candidate to contest the seat of Wills in Melbourne's north at the next federal election.

"As the preselection is open, I am not able to comment further until the process is completed," she wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

I am excited to nominate as your Greens candidate to represent the Federal Seat of Wills ðŸ’š â€” Samantha Ratnam (@SamanthaRatnam) pic.twitter.com/lD20OHnGJx April 3, 2024

Wills was held by Labor's Peter Khalil on an 8.6 per cent two-party-preferred margin in 2022, with Greens candidate Sarah Jefford finishing second.

The next federal election is due by May 2025, but can be held earlier should the prime minister want to go to the polls sooner.

In 2017, Dr Ratnam became the first woman to lead the Victorian Greens after entering the state's upper house earlier that year.

She previously was a social worker before being elected to City of Moreland council in 2012 and becoming its mayor in 2016.

By AAP Newswire

Australian Associated Press