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Tragedy as political candidate running against Daniel Andrews Labor government dies five days after state election
- National Party candidate in Victoria election dies five days after poll
- Shaun Gilchrist, who was running for the Narracan seat, died unexpectedly
- The Victorian National Party extends its deepest condolences to his family
A National Party candidate who ran in the Victorian election has died five days before voters decide on their next state government.
The party’s state director confirmed on Monday that Shaun Gilchrist, the candidate for Narracan in the east of the state, had died unexpectedly.
In a statement, the party expressed its deepest condolences to Mr Gilchrist’s family and friends.
The Victorian Electoral Commission has been notified.
Victorian National Party candidate Shaun Gilchrist has died, party officials confirmed in a statement Monday morning
Daniel Andrews (pictured on Sunday with his wife, Cath, left) Labor government is running for re-election at Saturday’s poll
It comes as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made a surprise visit on Monday to join Victorian Prime Minister Daniel Andrews in the election campaign.
Mr Albanese posted pictures on social media, thanked volunteers at a voting booth in Caulfield and said the Prime Minister was building a brighter future for all Victorians.
But controversy still surrounds two candidates as the policy took a back seat to politics over the weekend.
The Liberal party distanced itself from upper house hopeful Renee Heath on Saturday after it was revealed she was part of a controversial church accused of promoting gay conversion therapy.
Ms Heath will not be in the Liberal Party chamber if elected but it was too late to support her, opposition leader Matthew Guy said.
He also denied that the party was made aware of Ms Heath’s ties to the City Builders Church weeks ago, saying his state director acted correctly during the pre-selection process.
Another Liberal candidate, Timothy Dragan, also apologized after recordings of his comments against Indigenous Australians, abortion and climate change were leaked.
Mr Guy said he accepted Mr Dragan’s apology and no further action would be taken, arguing that the public wanted to focus on issues that mattered to them.
A string of opposition candidates came under attack this weekend – one over her ties to a controversial church and another over comments about Indigenous Australians and abortion. Above is opposition leader Matthew Guy
“Victorians ask very clearly about health and cost of living,” he told reporters on Sunday. “They don’t ask me about other things.”
Prime Minister Daniel Andrews will continue his policy on Monday after announcing another $584 million for early childhood education over the weekend.
With Labor also under the cloud of corruption investigations, Mr Andrews said he was only interested in promoting his “positive and optimistic plan” for Victoria.
“We are very proud to present that to the Victorian community,” the prime minister said on Sunday. “The community will pass judgment.”
Mr Guy is expected to continue his tour of eight regions in eight days on Monday.
The Liberal leader and the Prime Minister will hear each other in a televised debate on Tuesday night, answering questions from 100 undecided voters.