Back to all members

Ryan Batchelor

Labor member for Southern Metropolitan in the Legislative Council, first elected in 2022. Outgoing member: every seat is up for election on 28 November.

Official profile: Parliament of Victoria profile

Party: Labor
Region: Southern Metropolitan
Donations to them: None disclosed
Donations to their party: $2.2m

Southern Metropolitan region.

Roles

26 Nov 2022 to nowMember for Southern Metropolitan Region
9 Mar 2023 to 20 Feb 2024Chair, Select Committee on Victoria's Recreational Native Bird Hunting Arrangements
21 Nov 2023 to 18 Jun 2026Chair, Legislative Council Environment and Planning Committee
21 Apr 2026 to nowParliamentary Secretary for Emergency Services

Where they stand

A snapshot of their record on the issues shaping this election, taken from how they voted, what they've said and the portfolios they've held. Reviewed 6 Nov 2026.

Crime and bail

Voted for the Bail Further Amendment Bill 2025 and spoke in support of its tougher bail tests for repeat serious offenders. Has backed the government's plan to stop good character references reducing sentences for serious crimes.

Voted26 Aug 2025Voted yes on the third reading of the Bail Further Amendment Bill 2025. Passed 28–6.Hansard, Legislative Council
Said26 Aug 2025In debate on the Bail Further Amendment Bill 2025, supported the new high degree of probability test and second-strike rule for repeat serious offenders, describing the changes as targeted and proportionate.Hansard, Legislative Council
Said31 Mar 2026In an adjournment matter, asked the Attorney-General for an update on the plan to ban good character references as a mitigating factor in sentencing, saying victims should be put first.Hansard, Legislative Council

Housing and renting

Voted for the Housing Statement Reform Bill 2024's rental, strata and planning changes. Has highlighted new social and affordable housing and homelessness services in the Southern Metropolitan Region.

Voted6 Mar 2025Voted yes on the third reading of the Consumer and Planning Legislation Amendment (Housing Statement Reform) Bill 2024, which changed rental, strata and planning laws, including ending notices to vacate at the end of a first fixed-term lease. Passed 22–17.Hansard, Legislative Council
Said29 Oct 2025In a constituency question, asked the Minister for Housing and Building how the government is supporting people experiencing homelessness, citing the new 26-home Madden House in St Kilda West.Hansard, Legislative Council
Said10 Sep 2026In a constituency question, asked the housing minister whether the Bluff Road social and affordable housing development in Hampton East was complete, noting its 285 new homes.Hansard, Legislative Council

Treaty and First Peoples

Voted for the Statewide Treaty Bill 2025 and spoke in support of it, citing self-determination and truth-telling.

Said28 Oct 2025In debate on the Statewide Treaty Bill 2025, supported creating Gellung Warl as a representative body for First Peoples and said self-determination is at the core of the treaty process.Hansard, Legislative Council
Voted30 Oct 2025Voted yes on the third reading of the Statewide Treaty Bill 2025. Passed 21–16.Hansard, Legislative Council

Transport and roads

Voted against a Greens motion to make public transport permanently free and more frequent. Has highlighted local road resurfacing and the North East Link's Eastern Freeway upgrades.

Said13 Nov 2025In a constituency question, asked the Minister for Transport Infrastructure how the Eastern Freeway upgrades for the North East Link will improve travel times, citing 6 kilometres of new bus lanes.Hansard, Legislative Council
Said31 Mar 2026In a constituency question, asked the Minister for Roads and Road Safety how key roads in the region are being maintained, citing resurfacing of Hampton Street in Bayside.Hansard, Legislative Council
Voted3 Jun 2026Voted no on a Greens motion calling on the government to make public transport permanently free and more frequent. Lost 7–31.Hansard, Legislative Council

AI and technology

Has supported expanding Service Victoria's digital government services, and raised parents' views on the cost and classroom use of digital devices at school.

Said20 Feb 2024In debate on the Service Victoria Amendment Bill 2023, supported letting Service Victoria handle more end-to-end transactions and digital identity checks, while noting some people need non-digital options.Hansard, Legislative Council
Said20 Nov 2025In a constituency question, asked the Minister for Education how the government is supporting families with buying and using digital devices at school, citing parents' concerns about cost and screen time.Hansard, Legislative Council

Gambling and racing

Voted for the Gambling Legislation Amendment Bill 2025. Has spoken in support of mandatory account-based play on poker machines and of tighter regulation of Crown casino.

Said27 May 2025In debate on the Gambling Legislation Amendment (Pre-commitment and Carded Play) Bill 2024, supported account-based play for all poker machine users and slower spin rates to reduce gambling harm.Hansard, Legislative Council
Voted17 Jun 2025Voted yes on the third reading of the Gambling Legislation Amendment Bill 2025, which changed the licensing framework for gaming machine monitoring and public lotteries. Passed 22–14.Hansard, Legislative Council
Said16 Oct 2025In debate on the Casino and Gambling Legislation Amendment Bill 2025, supported the bill's measures to hold Crown to account and make it easier for clubs to step back from gaming.Hansard, Legislative Council

Cost of living

Voted for the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund levy bill. Has promoted the government's power saving bonus and energy rebates as help with household bills.

Voted15 May 2025Voted yes on the third reading of the Fire Services Property Amendment (Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund) Bill 2025, which replaced the fire services property levy with a broader Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund levy. Passed 22–17.Hansard, Legislative Council
Said17 Jun 2025In an adjournment matter, asked the energy minister to visit a local household that had used solar or heat pump rebates, saying the programs cut energy bills.Hansard, Legislative Council
Said18 Feb 2026In a constituency question, asked the Minister for Energy and Resources how the $100 power saving bonus is helping eligible constituents, and urged eligible people to apply before applications closed.Hansard, Legislative Council

Health

Voted for the Health Safeguards for People Born with Variations in Sex Characteristics Bill 2025. Has supported the 2025 nurse and midwife ratios bill and highlighted new women's health clinics in the region.

Said1 Apr 2025In debate on the Safe Patient Care (Nurse to Patient and Midwife to Patient Ratios) Amendment Bill 2025, supported new staffing ratios in intensive care and emergency departments.Hansard, Legislative Council
Voted19 Feb 2026Voted yes on the third reading of the Health Safeguards for People Born with Variations in Sex Characteristics Bill 2025, which sets rules and an approval process for certain medical treatment of people born with variations in sex characteristics. Passed 24–15.Hansard, Legislative Council
Said9 Sep 2026In a constituency question, asked the Minister for Health how women in the region are getting the care they need, citing a new menopause clinic at Sandringham Hospital.Hansard, Legislative Council

How these snapshots are made. Each position links to a dated source: a recorded vote in Hansard, the member's own words in Parliament or official releases, or a portfolio they held. Where only the party's position could be found, it is tagged “Party” and is not counted as the member's own. Party members usually vote together, so a vote often reflects the party's position rather than a personal one. Topics with nothing on the record say so rather than guessing. Nothing here is a rating or a recommendation.