In a bid to improve staff shortages, graduate doctors will have a year of HECS debt waived for each year they’re stationed in the bush.

Deborah Knight backed the new federal government scheme to fix the “appalling situation” in some regional hospitals, and called for the program to be expanded into the education and agriculture sectors.

“In a country like Australia, your postcode shouldn’t dictate the level of healthcare you receive.

“We can and we should do better here.”

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NSW Nationals leader and Deputy Premier Paul Toole told Deborah his government “absolutely” welcomes the scheme.

“Any initiative where we can bring professionals out into regional and rural NSW … has to be supported.”

Asked what the state government could do to incentivise teachers and farmer workers to go bush too, Mr Toole admitted more needs to be done.

A $500 million package has been pledged to address the health worker shortage.

“There was almost $100 million … towards supporting accommodation for our frontline workers.

“There’s going to be work undertaken on scholarships as well … but it doesn’t end there.”

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