Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
AAP
AAP
National
Karen Sweeney

Ex-MP not fit to stand trial: psychiatrist

A Victorian court has been told former MP Russell Northe is too mentally unwell to stand trial. (Wayne Taylor/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

A retired Victorian MP facing allegations of corruption is too mentally unwell to stand trial, his lawyer says.

Russell Northe, the former Nationals and independent member for Morwell, was charged by anti-corruption watchdog IBAC last year with 45 offences.

It's alleged that in 2019 and 2020 he provided false administrative reports to the Victorian Electoral Commission about the use of funds and submitted a false or misleading annual return to the VEC.

Northe did not appear in Latrobe Valley Magistrates Court on Friday but was represented by his lawyer Mark Woods who received a report earlier this month from Mr Northe's treating psychiatrist.

"He is of the view that (Northe) is not fit to stand trial," Mr Woods said.

He asked for more time so an independent psychiatric report might be obtained, which would take seven weeks.

Magistrate Andrew Halse suggested the current report was written from a treating psychiatrists' perspective rather than the required medico-legal perspective and that it might not have been as elaborate as Mr Woods would have liked.

He agreed to adjourn the hearing until March 10 rather than escalate it straight to the County Court, where Northe may stand trial.

Because Northe is charged on summons he is not required to attend that hearing.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.