Councillor Samantha Ratnam to take up a seat in the Victorian Legislative Council (Media statement)

Statement from Merri-bek Chief Executive Officer Dr Nerina Di Lorenzo:

Deputy Mayor, Cr Samantha Ratnam has resigned from Merri-bek Council effective from 12 October 2017. Cr Ratnam leaves us to take up a vacancy in the Victorian Legislative Council.

Following Cr. Ratnam’s resignation, I have written today to the Local Government Minister to advise her of a vacancy, and the Victorian Electoral Commission will conduct a countback for the South Ward of the Merri-bek municipality.

The timing of the countback is not yet determined and will be fully administered and controlled by the VEC. We hope to have a new Councillor for the South Ward as soon as practicable, followed by a smooth transition.

I would like to thank Cr Ratnam for her passionate, diligent and forward thinking contribution to Merri-bek over her five years on Council. I had the pleasure of working with her in her Mayoral year and of seeing her achieve so much in her time at Merri-bek.

I know she will continue her strong contribution and wish her well in the next phase of her political career.

Update

The Victorian Electoral Commission has advised that it will conduct the countback on Wednesday 22 November starting at 5 pm at the Council Chambers in the Merri-bek Civic Centre, 90 Bell Street Coburg. See further details on the VEC website.