Independent candidate Russell Broadbent has called on all sides of politics to join him in committing $60 million to a new West Gippsland Hospital.
Mr Broadbent, the incumbent seeking his eighth consecutive term as Member for Monash, wrote to both Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton last week urging them to visit the electorate and declare their commitment to the "desperately needed" hospital.
He called for $60 million to fund first stage planning and design of the hospital, believing the funds would "trigger the Victorian government to come to the party."
"This is the single most important issue across the entire Monash electorate, and one which I will not ignore," he wrote to Mr Albanese and Mr Dutton.
Highlighting the recent multi-million dollar announcements for hospitals in marginal regions, including Pakenham and the Western Australia seat of Hasluck, Mr Broadbent said the government could no longer ignore Monash.
"Just down the highway in Pakenham, in a marginal electorate, funding for a new hospital is miraculously announced by the Allan Government," Mr Broadbent said. "I'm bringing this issue to a head once and for all. That's my commitment."
In the event of a hung parliament, Mr Broadbent declared "no one will get my support unless they commit to the new hospital."