05 Apr 2018 Bendigo Advertiser, Bendigo VIC (General News) by ADAM HOLMES THE Greens are targeting Northern Victoria to deliver the party its first regional Victorian MP at this years state election. The Victorian Greens have endorsed Macedon Ranges-based lawyer and tax law trainer Nicole Rowan as its candidate for Northern Victoria, hoping to secure the fifth seat from the Shooters and Fishers Party or Labor. Ms Rowan said their vote has been growing in the region in recent elections, and she hoped to build on this growth. The Greens are within reach of winning a seat in Northern Victoria, and having their first regional MP elected to the Victorian Parliament, she said. The 2016 Federal election saw an increase in the Greens vote across the Northern Victorian region; if this is repeated in the November 2018 State election, we can win the fifth seat in Northern Victoria. The Greens polled 7.69 per cent of the vote in Northern Victoria in the 2014 state election, but the Shooters and Fishers Party benefited from Liberal and National preferences to get over the line. The fifth seat was contested between Labor, the Greens and the Australian Country Alliance, with Labors Jaclyn Symes getting elected. Bendigo is the largest centre in the Northern Victoria upper house seat, which stretches from Mildura to Falls Creek. Ms Rowan, who grew up on a sheep and wheat farm in the Mallee, said the Greens would focus on regional and rural public transport, and ending duck hunting. Increased frequency of services will provide people with greater access to health and education services and reduce barriers to social isolation, she said. It will also contribute to tourism, enabling visitors to reach all corners of regional Victoria safely, reliably and efficiently. The Greens are yet to announce candidates for Bendigo East or Bendigo West, after party resources were focused on the Batman by-election last month. The Nationals are the only party to announce a candidate to contest Bendigo East against sitting Labor MP Jacinta Allan. Caption Text: CAMPAIGN: Greens candidate for Northern Victoria Nicole Rowan is hopeful of becoming the partys first regional Victorian state MP.Licensed by Copyright Agency. You may only copy or communicate this work with a licence.