MELANIE SEARLE
for
HARTLEY
Hi, I’m Melanie
I am driven by a passion for social justice, equality, and helping others.
When I couldn’t see the government sharing these values that matter to me, I joined the Greens. From my first volunteer experience, I felt empowered to be taking action on the things I believed in. Having now spent time behind the scenes of politics as convenor of my local branch, as an active campaigner, and working in a political office, I am excited and ready to have the opportunity to represent the party and the values I align with.
My commitment to building the Greens in SA over the past few years led me to taking on important roles within the party - as co-convenor of the Sturt branch, helping build it up to run SA’s first and impressively large lower house campaign; and in the office of Sarah Hanson-Young, supporting the Senator to achieve her highest ever vote at the 2025 federal election.
Through my dedicated work as a Greens volunteer and staff member, I've learnt so much about various aspects of politics; from the campaign trail, to liaising with party members and stakeholders, to the machinations of parliament. I’ve developed great working relationships with Greens MPs, staff, and party officials and I would be delighted to continue working closely with them to ensure the 2026 campaign delivers our best ever result and a strong, cohesive Greens team representing you in SA parliament.
I believe in many of the Greens policies that will make SA an even better place to live, like improved public transport, affordable housing and education, access to healthcare and environmental protection. I’ve loved living close to the River Torrens and Linear Park, and having easy access to the city via the fast and frequent Obahn. However, both of these drawcards run along the far border of my electorate, leaving many Hartley residents without good public transport options and a lack of nature reserves.
That’s why I am running to represent my local community in Hartley.
If you share my vision for a better South Australia, vote for me as your Greens candidate for Hartley.
Endorsements
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“I’m supporting Melanie because she brings boldness, compassion, and a fierce commitment to the core values of the Greens. As a young renter, she lives the challenges our community faces. With her in parliament, we will have a powerful voice for a fairer future.”
Chris Morris, former Sturt Co-Convenor
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“I’ve known Melanie for over 20 years; she leads with integrity, lives her values, and would be a deeply principled and compassionate Greens candidate.”
Tammie Sinclair, former City of Tea Tree Gully Councillor and Greens SA Member
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“Melanie is the epitome of a Greens member and clearly has the success of the party at the forefront of every action she takes. She has been incredibly supportive of candidates, members and other branches and she strives to support the party as a whole.”
Jacob Carrieri, Makin branch Treasurer
Community focused leadership
With extensive experience across the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors, I have honed my skills in executive support, project management, and stakeholder engagement. My commitment to social impact has driven me to roles within healthcare and homelessness, and to pursue studies in International Development. In leadership roles within community organisations, including chairing Swing Dance Adelaide through post-pandemic challenges, I implemented initiatives that fostered inclusivity, collaboration, and community resilience - values I now bring to my political work.
Equipped for political impact
In 2024, I was honoured to be selected for the Pathways to Politics for Women program, a national, non-partisan initiative designed to equip women with the skills, knowledge, confidence, and networks needed to run for elected office and thrive as political leaders. This experience has deepened my commitment to a politics that is inclusive, collaborative, and respectful across party lines. As part of the program, I delivered a speech in Parliament House about my journey into politics and the changes I want to see. You can watch it here.
Contact Me
I am always keen to chat to Greens members about our shared passions and vision for the future. Please get in touch if you have any questions or want to discuss my candidacy further.
0423 508 271
