Farrer By-Election candidates Gary Pappin, Jamie Bonnefin, Brad Robertson, Raissa Butkowski, Michelle Milthorpe, David Farley and Lucas Ellis attended the Farrer by-election Meet the Candidates forum in Deniliquin.
Photo by
Lua Ikenasio
Seven Farrer candidates at the Meet the Candidates forum faced voters in Deniliquin on Tuesday night to outline their responses to some of the region’s most pressing concerns, with healthcare emerging as a central focus.
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Healthcare access, workforce shortages and cross-border challenges were key issues raised, with two questions focusing specifically on health.
The first asked how candidates would ensure adequate healthcare in cross-border communities, amid concerns Victorian services were increasingly directing NSW residents back across the border.
Independent Gary Pappin was blunt in his view, saying “bugger Victoria, and look after our own state and our own people”.
Sustainable Australia Party candidate Lucas Ellis said there were “two sides to the coin” when it came to healthcare: infrastructure and workforce.
In addition to calling for a “world-class, single-site greenfield hospital”, Mr Ellis emphasised the need to strengthen the region’s healthcare workforce, including more aged care staff and clearer local training pathways for GPs to live and work in the area.
One Nation candidate David Farley said the “pursuit of water reform” would help restore regional capacity and productivity, while also pointing to a mismatch in long-term planning between NSW and Victoria.
Mr Farley said there was also a need to learn from states with stronger cross-border co-operation.
Independent Michelle Milthorpe said equitable funding distribution and stronger regional health hubs were key, while also highlighting data gaps in border communities.
“People who are visiting hospitals in Echuca are not being counted here in Deniliquin, and so they're saying there's no need,” she said.
Liberal candidate Raissa Butkowski said a formal process was needed to better align planning, funding and delivery between federal and state governments.
She also referenced Coalition commitments to increase GP numbers, expand rural generalist training, and offer incentives including HECS relief, scholarships and salary support.
National Party candidate Brad Robertson said state governments were using borders as an excuse to shift responsibility, arguing stronger federal accountability was needed.
“The only way to deal with that is federal oversight and authority to make them accountable for the money that's given to them by the Federal Government to do health,” he said.
Gerard Rennick’s People First Party candidate Jamie Bonnefin advocated for the removal of duplicated state and federal departments in areas such as health, water and energy to save billions.
He ultimately called for the removal of state governments altogether in favour of a single national system, where federal control of healthcare infrastructure and manufacturing would reduce costs.
By-election candidates touched on healthcare in Farrer.
Photo by
Lua Ikenasio
The second health-focused question of the night addressed the shortage of GPs in regional communities.
Candidates were asked what policy levers they would push for to attract and retain doctors in towns such as Deniliquin.
Ms Milthorpe pointed to bureaucratic barriers and called for a more flexible approach aligned with rural GP networks.
She also supported expanding the role of nurse practitioners and improving local infrastructure to support recruitment and retention.
Ms Butkowski highlighted existing NSW health models for attracting and retaining staff, while emphasising the need to explore all available options including salary incentives, tax relief and debt support for health workers.
Mr Robertson pointed to existing Coalition initiatives such as the Murray Darling Medical School and rural generalist pathway.
He argued future efforts should focus on strengthening regional development so that communities could remain attractive places for health professionals to live and work.
Mr Bonnefin proposed reintroducing the military apprenticeship scheme to fast-track the training of health professionals, allowing for quicker deployment of workers into communities where shortages were prominent.
Mr Pappin focused on housing, planning and infrastructure approvals, saying delays in development processes were limiting regional growth and discouraging medical staff from relocating.
He also called for changes to local planning systems and increased federal support to make regional towns more attractive and sustainable for healthcare workers.
Mr Ellis suggested expanding healthcare training pathways by targeting unemployed and underemployed Australians, alongside reduced education costs for regional students entering health fields.
Mr Farley said workforce shortages could not be separated from broader regional development, arguing that sustainable healthcare depended on investment in housing, infrastructure and long-term regional planning.
While approaches differed, candidates agreed that improving regional healthcare would require stronger incentives, investment and planning to ensure Farrer communities could access health services closer to home.
