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.
