Nationals won't contest seat where their candidate died while facing sexual assault charges

Narracan candidate Shaun Gilchrist was due to face court before he died.

The Nationals will not contest the supplementary election in the Victorian seat of Narracan, weeks after their candidate for the seat died while facing sexual assault charges.

According to The Guardian, Shaun Gilchrist was due to face court on November 30 charged with "one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault."

The trial was supposed to begin in 2023.

His death, which happened after the close of nominations and before the state election on November 26, caused the election in the seat to be declared 'failed' by the VEC.

Voters will instead have their say on January 28, with early voting starting on January 16.

Wayne Farnham, who was the Liberal candidate, has confirmed he's contesting again and appears the most likely to win. The seat is currently held by retiring Liberal MP Gary Blackwood.

The only other declared candidate at this stage is Tony Wolfe, who's running as an independent.

Labor has also confirmed they're not running, while The Age reports Greens candidate Alyssa Weaver will be re-contesting.

Justin Seddon was the Labor candidate for the initial election in Narracan, while Laura Rees was running for the Animal Justice Party, Hannah Darts for Family First, Leonie Blackwell for the Freedom Party & Casey Murphy for One Nation.

Click here for full coverage of the Narracan supplementary election.

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