Hon. Natalie Suleyman

Natalie is a lifelong local of St Albans, and was born and raised in the West. Prior to entering Parliament, Natalie served as a Councillor, including three terms as Mayor of Brimbank City Council. She was awarded the Certificate of Outstanding Service — Mayor Emeritus by the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) and received the Victorian Multicultural Award for Excellence — Local Government.

Natalie is the daughter of migrants of Turkish Cypriot background from Cyprus and is the first Cypriot of Turkish heritage and first Muslim woman to be elected to the Parliament of Victoria.

Natalie previously served as the Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, and as Chair of the Assembly’s Legal and Social Issues Committee. As Chair, Natalie led inquiries into early childhood engagement of CALD communities, anti-vilification protections, historical forced adoptions and support for older Victorians from migrant and refugee backgrounds.

Natalie is passionate about the opportunities for multicultural communities and is an advocate for increasing diversity in all levels of government and the corporate sector. She knows that you can't be what you can't see. Natalie has received the Knight's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland.