Nationals candidate Shaun Gilchrist dies before state election

A Nationals candidate, who unexpectedly died five days before the state election, was facing charges for rape and sexual assault.

A Nationals candidate who unexpectedly died just days before the state election was facing charges of rape and sexual assault.

Shaun Gilchrist, 47, was found dead in bushland near Rawson in the state’s east about 4.15pm on Sunday.

The Herald Sun on Monday revealed Mr Gilchrist was due to stand trial on rape and sexual assault charges next June, and was scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing next week.

The National Party refused to answer questions about the criminal charges, including whether it knew of the allegations before Mr Gilchrist was preselected in the seat of Narracan.

The Herald Sun understands the charges predated his endorsement.

Shaun Gilchrist was passionate about regional Victoria.

He (left) was campaigning in Warragul just two days ago.

Both Nationals leader Peter Walsh and Opposition Leader Matthew Guy said they did not know about any allegations against Mr Gilchrist when he was endorsed.

But Mr Walsh refused to comment further on the issue.

“I’m not going to get into a commentary about the issues because I have been specifically asked by his widow to ­respect their privacy,” he said.

“She said to me this morning, ‘I’ve had to explain to them (children) that their father will not be coming home’.

“She doesn’t want the issues that you’re raising talked about until she’s had some time to talk to her children.”

Mr Guy said he would also respect those wishes.

While criminal checks are conducted on all prospective candidates, they only detect convictions not charges yet to be determined.

Coalition sources said more needed to be done in future to screen potential candidates.

The death will spark a supplementary election following Saturday’s vote.

Under Victoria’s electoral laws an election is declared “failed” if a candidate dies ­before 6pm on election day.

Acting electoral commissioner Dana Fleming said Narracan constituents would still be required to vote for their Upper House candidates.

Nationals state director Matthew Harris said Mr Gilchrist’s death was a shock to all.

“The Victorian Nationals express our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Mr Gilchrist, and our thoughts remain with them at this difficult time,” he said.

Premier Daniel Andrews said while he had never met Mr Gilchrist, he was “respected by so many across the community for his warmth, his humour and his hard work”.

“I have no doubt he shared the same ambition so many of us do in wanting to get involved with politics to change society for the better, and make a positive contribution to the community around him,” Mr Andrews said.

“Our thoughts are with his family and friends, as well as his colleagues and his supporters, who are all grieving the most tragic of losses.”

Mr Gilchrist was contesting the seat after the retirement of incumbent Liberal member Gary Blackwood.