Victoria's Labor party still has a gap to fill after the withdrawal of two candidates in two days ahead of next month's election.
Peter Lockwood cited family and health reasons as he stood down as candidate for Bayswater on Friday, while some media reported alleged poor behaviour might have inspired his decision.
"Due to the need to spend time with my grandchildren I have withdrawn," Mr Lockwood wrote on his Facebook page.
"A chronic health condition has flared up and I cannot devote the time required to the campaign, or to (do) the job of an MP should I have been elected."
In a statement, Labor state secretary Samuel Rae confirmed Mr Lockwood's withdrawal from the contest for the lower house seat on Melbourne's eastern outskirts, but did not comment on any allegations.
"The Labor Party will quickly pre-select another candidate," Mr Rae said, less than a fortnight from the cut-off for formal nominations.
On the same day, retired ambulance union state secretary Steve McGhie confirmed he had been pre-selected as Labor candidate for the party's safe seat of Melton.
The announcement came after Thursday's withdrawal - due to "family reasons" - of former candidate Justin Mammarella.
Federal Labor leader Bill Shorten was reluctant to get involved in the Victorian candidacy moves.
"I am running for prime minister, not premier, but when you go from personalities to the issues in Victoria (Premier) Dan Andrews has a great vision for this state," he told reporters.
On a policy front, Friday was all about household energy bills, with plans spruiked by both major parties.
The Andrews Labor government unveiled plans to legislate a new "default", forcing retailers to offer fairer prices.
The government says the move could save households hundreds of dollars a year on average energy bills, once implemented from July 2019.
"We're putting power back in the hands of Victorians - who've put up for too long with big corporations ripping consumers off ever since the Liberals privatised our electricity," Energy Minister Lily D'Ambrosio said.
The Greens slammed the plan, insisting that only about seven per cent of residential Victorian energy customers are on a default deal.
Meanwhile Liberal-Nationals Opposition Leader Matthew Guy is working to secure cheaper power for about 912,000 low-income earners.
The deal aims to get them up to an extra 18 per cent price cut on top of the 17.5 per cent discounts already received.
"Under the deal we will strike with energy providers, low-income earners will be looking at savings of around $250 to $530 a year," Mr Guy told AAP on Thursday.
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