A WAGGA Labor candidate has spoken out about the electorate's state and federal members backing the decision that robbed the health district of a specialist prostate cancer nurse.
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Federal health minister Peter Dutton revealed last Thursday the 14 towns to receive a nurse, appointed by an independent selection panel under the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA).
The Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) missed out for a second consecutive year.
Labor candidate and local psychologist, Dan Hayes, is outraged Wagga missed out, explaining it as a loss dictated by the town's postcode.
Mr Hayes said the disappointment of missing out on a nurse was compounded by the electorate's state and federal members' claims they couldn't change the decision.
"It is outrageous that we missed out, but it is devastating to hear that both of our current representatives are supportive of the decision to leave Wagga out," he said.
"They both claim to put the community first, but here is clear evidence where they have chosen not to fight for the community and they still expect to be voted in again.
"I think if Wagga got it, they would have been saying 'look what we did'.
"They'd be happy to claim a victory."
Mr Hayes acknowledged state member for Wagga Daryl Maguire said he would be supportive of future applications, but questioned the longevity of the program with future funding in doubt.
"The current government is intent on dismantling health care in this country," Mr Hayes said.
"They want a US-style user pay system as shown by the billions they have cut from health, the $7 GP co-payment they are introducing, and the closure of Medicare Locals.
"The prostate nurse program that was introduced by Labor is also under threat."
Mr Hayes said people's health should not be determined by the postcode in which they lived and that there was no reason the Wagga electorate should have different outcomes to metropolitan areas.
"The thing with a prostate cancer nurse, the statistics show there's a high rate so absolutely (there's a need for one) in that area," he said.