Ellen Sandell

Sandell was born in Alice Springs, Northern Territory. She and her family moved to Mildura, Victoria, when she was five years old. She attended Sacred Heart Primary School and St Joseph's College, Mildura.^[5]

Sandell went on to study at the University of Melbourne, graduating in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts (majoring in Spanish and linguistics) and a Bachelor of Science (majoring in genetics).^[6] She joined the Australian Youth Climate Coalition in 2007, and became director in 2011.^[3]

Whilst at university, Sandell became involved in student politics and was elected as the environment officer for the University of Melbourne Student Union in 2007.^[7] From 2007 to 2009, she was employed as a policy adviser in the Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet,^[7] working on the Brumby Labor Government's climate change strategy and Green Paper.^[8] Sandell worked for the Australian Youth Climate Coalition (AYCC) between 2009 and 2012, serving as general manager before becoming the group's National Director. After departing the AYCC, Sandell worked as the ACT Greens campaign manager for Simon Sheikh's unsuccessful Senate campaign in the 2013 Australian federal election. In 2013, she was pre-selected as the Australian Greens candidate for the seat of Melbourne at the 2014 state elections.^[9]

Sandell is a supporter of pro-Palestinian rallies in Melbourne.^[10]

Sandell went on to win the seat of Melbourne at the 2014 election, defeating the Labor incumbent, Jennifer Kanis.^[11] She held the seat against the same Labor opponent at the 2018 election, with a slightly smaller margin. Following that election, Sandell was appointed deputy leader of a reduced Greens party-room in the Victorian Parliament, serving with leader Samantha Ratnam.^[12][13]

Sandell has three children.^[14][15][16] She lives in Kensington.^[17]