The Nationals' candidate for Farrer Brad Robertson has toured a greenfield site option, following the Coalition's commitment for a $200 million investment into Albury Wodonga Health.
The funding pledge, if successful at the 2028 federal election, would open a pathway to a greenfield development, with possible locations including an equestrian facility.
"The Coalition has announced $200 million would be immediately deployed on day one of a Taylor-Canavan Government, so there is no time to waste in terms of investigating the best possible site for our Farrer community," Mr Robertson said.
"We will consult and listen to the community about which greenfield site would be the most suitable. It is crucial we get this right, so that there is quick access for ambulances in both states. There are also growth corridors on both sides of the river, which would also determine where the best location is."
Wodonga resident Vicki Lancester was added to the waitlist for a knee replacement in 2023.
The 65-year-old said she was devastated when she received a call two years later, in June 2025, telling her she would be removed from the wait list.
"There was no notice given, just that I could still get it done at some hospitals in Melbourne," Ms Lancester said.
"I am only back on the wait list here after I made a complaint. We can't continue to have our lists grow and people literally about to be on an operating table and then told, sorry, we cancelled your surgery. We need a greenfield site because we need all the help we can get."
It comes after Rural Doctors Association of Australia CEO Peta Rutherford declared a new single-site hospital is the only solution for Albury-Wodonga.
"It is wonderful to see The Nationals actively committing, in a future Coalition Government, to fund planning for a new single-site greenfields hospital for Albury-Wodonga and supporting a new single-site facility as being the only real solution to meet the region's public hospital needs into the future," Ms Rutherford said.
"The Coalition's commitment to also fund completion of the current upgrade of Albury Base Hospital is also welcome - because in reality, Albury-Wodonga and all their surrounding communities need the existing hospital infrastructure to be as optimal as it can be while work progresses on a new single-site greenfields hospital."
Better Border Health director Stan Stavros said he was disappointed One Nation's candidate for Farrer was not supporting a greenfield site and had not met with the advocacy group, nor with the local clinicians.
"Our hospital and health needs is one of the biggest issues at this upcoming by-election, so it beggars belief that One Nation is not interested in hearing what Better Border Health, our community advocacy group, and local clinicians have to say," Mr Stavros said.
"We urge One Nation to listen to the people who actually know about this issue, rather than ignoring community and clinician concerns. A brownfield development will simply lock us in, on never having the sufficient healthcare we need."
The Coalition's plan includes a $185 million Albury-Wodonga Health Infrastructure Fund, to complete the current hospital upgrade and kickstart work on a future hospital for the region. The Coalition will also look ahead, with funding for planning, site acquisition and early works, as well as another $15 million to expand mental health care.
Leader of The Nationals Matt Canavan said it was important to listen to on-the-ground feedback, to fight for families who relied on Albury health services.
"The Coalition was able to make our funding commitment thanks to the strong advocacy of Better Border Health," Senator Canavan said.
"It is obvious this community and people like Vicki need a Member of Parliament who will listen to their concerns and take them seriously."
Shadow Minister for Regional Health Dr Anne Webster said Brad Robertson is standing up for local community concerns, exactly what a Nationals Member of Parliament does.
"Brad is running to represent his community, not outside interests," Dr Webster said.
"As a Nationals MP myself at a cross-river situation at Mildura, I know how important it is to understand how hospital services care for two-state – or, in my case, a large tri-state – catchment. Regional Australians in border regions like Albury Wodonga, feel the neglect of their state governments acutely and that's why I am so proud The Nationals are fighting hard for a greenfield hospital development for Albury-Wodonga."
