Infant mortality rates are 81pc higher, male and female obesity 48pc and 47pc higher respectively, and avoidable mortality 114pc above the national average.

These are the "compelling socio-economic factors" for Goulburn to have an MRI machine that attracts the full Medicare rebate, say an application's authors.

Canberra Imaging Group (CIG) helped put the application together for the MRI licence to the federal government last year. But it missed out on one of 53 licences handed out earlier this year as part of a formal process.

CIG's general manager Anthony Pilloni is disappointed by the decision but he's hopeful of a positive outcome in the future.

"We felt Goulburn stacked up well against the criteria and that it had a good chance based on the demographics and the socio-economic factors. We were very hopeful," he said.

Some of these factors justifying the full Medicare rebate were that the number of aged pensioners over 65 in Goulburn was 12pc above the national average; rental assistance recipients were 24pc higher; single parents 47pc above the national rate; disability support pensioners 78pc higher and low income earners 34pc above the Australian average.

Currently, patients have to travel to Bowral or Canberra for MRIs. The technology scans the body's tissues and organs and is commonly used to detect cancer, neurological conditions, muscular skeletal problems and prostate abnormalities, among others.

"It has become the modality of choice," Mr Pilloni said.

"It surprises me that Goulburn doesn't have one. I've looked at other regional centres based on population and demographics and Goulburn was a stand-out in not having an MRI."

He told the Post that GPs and cancer specialists saw it as a "desperate need" and provided letters of support for the application.

Mr Pilloni said CIG initially applied for the licence for its Goulburn x-ray practice but the Southern NSW Local Health District approached them to ask if it could go to the Base Hospital. Goulburn x-ray has a contract to provide diagnostic imaging to the hospital.

Mr Pilloni said the application's "strict guidelines" dictated the licence had to be active by December, 2020. This was problematic given Goulburn Base Hospital's redevelopment was due to be finished by late 2021.

He said he was still keen for the licence to go to the hospital but with no sign of another government application process, the only avenue was to press the case with state and federal political representatives. CIG did so before applications opened and after they did, he said both Hume MP Angus Taylor and then Goulburn MP Pru Goward were supportive. Ms Goward's successor, Wendy Tuckerman, has also backed the push.

Mr Taylor said recently he would continue to press the case with Health Minister Greg Hunt. Hume Labor candidate Aoife Champion said she had taken up the issue with Opposition Health Minister Catherine King.

"She is aware of the need and I have and will continue to advocate for an MRI licence for Goulburn because it has a good business case," she said.

Ms Champion said under Labor's promised cancer treatment plan any diagnostic cancer scans would qualify for the Medicare rebate independent of whether the facility had an MRI licence.

Goulburn Medical Clinic chairman Dr Rod McConnell supported the Goulburn application.

"It's very important we have one because it has become a standard for many things we investigate. I think there must be a huge number of people travelling to Bowral and Canberra for MRIs," he said.

Dr McConnell said the added advantage was it showed more detail than a CT scan and didn't involve radiation. He was confident a licence would be granted for the upgraded hospital.

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