NEW Mallee Greens candidate Nicole Rowan believes voters in the region are looking for a change of leadership.
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The party announced Ms Rowan as its candidate for the May 18 federal election earlier this week.
Other candidates for the Mallee seat include Science Party's Leigh Firman, Independent Cecilia Moar, Liberal Party's Serge Petrovich, Independent Jason Modica, Independent Ray Kingston, National Party's Anne Webster, Labor's Carole Hart, Citizens' Electoral Council's Chris Lahy, and United Australia Party's Rick Millar.
Ms Rowan grew up on a farm near Woomelang.
She went to school at Sea Lake, but moved away from the region to go to university.
She now lives in the Macedon Ranges and is a lawyer.
Ms Rowan said people should put Greens first on the ballot paper to send a message to the other major political parties.
"We have a preferential voting system in Australia, so people can put the Greens first," she said.
"Then we are saying to the other parties that we want change and that message is really important."
Ms Rowan said she wanted the Greens to give its preferences to independent candidate Jason Modica.
"I think Jason is a standout candidate that is not influenced by any other political party," she said.
"All his positions are based on evidence and science, which is something the Greens do as well.
"I've known Jason for many years and I'm really impressed with his knowledge and his commitment to the community."
Related: Meet Mallee's candidates (VIDEOS)
Ms Rowan said one major issue the Greens would look at in Mallee was renewable energy projects.
"We need to re-nationalise the electricity grid and maintaining a good quality system, so we are not pushing profits into the hands of the shareholders," she said.
Ms Rowan said renewable energy projects meant more jobs in the region.
"There are more jobs in renewable energy than there are in mining," she said.
Ms Rowan said she wanted to change the stereotype of who the Greens were.
"If you stop and look at the policies, we have the kinds of policies that most people want to be implemented," she said.
"People don't want politics to be all about taking donations from corporate businesses. People want politicians to tell the truth."
Ms Rowan has been with the Greens party for about 10 years.
"I understand I don't live in the region, but my connection to rural Victoria is strong," she said.
She previously was the Greens candidate for the seat of Northern Victoria in last year's state election.
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