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Portrait of Ellen Sandell

Ellen Sandell

Australian Greens · Victoria · Victorian Legislative Assembly · Melbourne (VIC) · incumbent

Ellen Sandell was born on 26 November 1984 in Alice Springs, Northern Territory, and moved with her family to Mildura, Victoria, at age five, attending St Joseph's College there. She studied at the University of Melbourne, graduating in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts (Spanish and linguistics) and a Bachelor of Science (genetics). Before politics she worked as a policy adviser in the Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet on climate change strategy, then for the Australian Youth Climate Coalition from 2009 to 2012. [source]

Sourced positions

A verified position is the member's own stated view or vote, supported by the listed sources. This page records public statements and conduct only — see methodology.

Abortion & reproductive policy verified

Sandell, leader of the Victorian Greens, has publicly supported entrenching abortion access in the Victorian Constitution. In a 4 February 2025 Greens statement supporting the Constitution Amendment (Abortion) Bill 2024 she said 'People deserve to know where their leaders sit when it comes to their reproductive rights and access to essential healthcare,' and warned it was 'frightening that all it takes is for a change of government to threaten our right to safely access abortion in Victoria, especially when the Liberals are lurching further to the right here.'

Voluntary assisted dying verified

Voted on the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2017 in the Victorian Legislative Assembly (conscience vote; the bill passed the Assembly 47-37 on 20 October 2017). Ellen Sandell voted YES (in favour).

Religious freedom verified

Sandell, Deputy Leader of the Victorian Greens, moved to remove the Lord's Prayer from the Legislative Assembly, announcing in February 2023 that she would introduce a motion 'for the lower house to ditch it' when Parliament returned, consistent with the Greens' position favouring a secular opening to parliamentary proceedings.

Drugs & law and order verified

Leader of the Victorian Greens (MLA for Melbourne). Sandell condemned the government's decision not to open a Melbourne CBD injecting room as 'cowardly... It leaves people who are struggling with heroin addiction to die on the streets of Melbourne.' She strongly opposed Labor's 2025 bail/youth justice laws allowing children to be tried in adult courts, saying 'Labor is ruining the lives of young people just to cling to power' and that the laws would not increase community safety.

Gambling & gaming reform verified

Voted against the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation Repeal and Advisory Councils Bill 2024, which abolished the Foundation (Legislative Assembly, second and third reading, 30 May 2024; Ayes 49, Noes 28). Voted for the Gambling Legislation Amendment (Pre-commitment and Carded Play) Bill 2024 (Legislative Assembly, second and third reading, 20 March 2025; Ayes 53, Noes 25). Voted for the second reading of the Gambling Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 (Legislative Assembly, 20 May 2025; Ayes 51, Noes 25). Voted against the second reading of the Casino and Gambling Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 (Legislative Assembly, 11 September 2025; Ayes 73, Noes 3).

Native forest logging verified

Voted for the second reading of the Sustainable Forests (Timber) Repeal Bill 2024, which repealed the Sustainable Forests (Timber) Act 2004 following the cessation of native forest logging on 1 January 2024 (Legislative Assembly, 30 May 2024; Ayes 53, Noes 24).

First Nations & treaty verified

As Leader of the Victorian Greens, publicly backed the Statewide Treaty Bill 2025, saying Greens votes would ensure it passed and calling it "a historic moment where every Victorian has been invited to walk with First Nations people on this incredible journey." The Greens voted for the Bill.

Record last updated 2026-08-13.