The Albury mayor referred to the treatment hub in response to a question about tackling mental health at an election forum at Deniliquin on Monday night.

"We were delivered a $30 million cancer facility which wasn't staffed and certainly wasn't provided adequate equipment for its operation," Mr Mack said.

"That equipment had to be sourced in other areas and certainly through a lot of fundraising by the community.

"That is a very significant example of what's happening in terms of the ripple effect across the smaller regions of Farrer and the smaller towns such as Deniliquin."

Mr Mack said it was a "disgrace" that councils were paying for GP services in places such as Carrathool, Hay and Wentworth.

Liberal member for Farrer Sussan Ley defended the "world class cancer centre", noting she argued for it to treat public patients.

"The funding provided by the then Labor government, very welcome, was just for the building but now we actually have a commitment from two states that we will treat public patients there," Ms Ley said.

"Some of the cancer health outcomes and the research that is happening there is better than what you see in capital cities, so we've got every right to be proud of the Albury cancer centre."

Ms Ley said the government's rural health initiative does an "enormous amount" to bring doctors to regions.