Victorian Greens elect new state leader Ellen Sandell dubs herself ‘the first millennial’ to lead a political party in the state

The Victorian Greens have chosen their new leader after previous chief Samantha Ratnam revealed her bid to win a federal seat.

Ellen Sandell, MP for Melbourne since 2014, will take over the post after the unanimous vote by the party room on Tuesday morning.

Sam Hibbins, who represents Prahran, and upper house MP for Western Victoria Sarah Mansfield have been appointed deputies.

Ms Sandell said her intentions as leader would centre on shifting government focus to the climate and cost of living crises.

‘If you are struggling to pay rent, if you are worried that your kids will never be able to buy a home or if you’re worried about the price at the checkout next time you’re buying groceries, you are not alone,’ she said.

‘We’re being let down by our politicians who aren’t acting in your interests.’

Ms Sandell, 39, flagged herself as the ‘first millennial leader of a major political party in Victoria’.

She said her first move would be to demand the government make unlimited rent increases illegal.

Ms Sandell wants people who are struggling to pay rent or afford to buy their own home to know they are not alone 

‘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,’ she said.

Ms Sandell previously served as Dr Ratnam’s deputy.

The leadership switch was triggered when Dr Ratnam was formally announced as the Greens’ candidate for the federal seat of Wills on Friday.