Ros Spence


Rosalind Louise Spence is an Australian politician. She has been a Labor Party member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly since November 2014, representing the electorate of Yuroke.
Spence has served as the Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Community Sport and Youth in the Andrews ministry since March 2020.

Early life and education

Spence was raised in Eltham and graduated from Eltham High School in 1988. She later graduating with a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Tasmania in 2002.
Prior to her election to Parliament, Spence worked as an electorate officer to various state and federal Members of Parliament, as operations manager for the Victorian branch of the Australian Labor Party, and as a volunteer solicitor at the Broadmeadows Legal Centre.

Political career

From 2008 to 2012, Spence served as a Councillor in the City of Hume, including as Mayor between 2011 and 2012. In 2013, she was selected as the Labor candidate for the seat of Yuroke and was elected to the Victorian Legislative Assembly at the 2014 Victorian state election.. She later re-elected at the 2018 Victorian state election.
Following her election, Spence served as Government Whip and later as Parliamentary Secretary for Public Transport and Parliamentary Secretary for Road Infrastructure. She has also served as the Chair of the Electoral Matters Committee.
In March 2020, Spence was elevated to the Andrews ministry following the resignation of Gavin Jennings as the Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Community Sport and Youth.

Personal life

Spence has one son and is married to former Victorian Labor assistant state secretary Kosmos Samaras.