In reply to The Standard's request for comment on further delays in getting an MRI licence the minister's office said: "If Minister Roxon visits Warrnambool in the future and if her schedule permits, she would be happy to meet with local health workers."

A petition signed by 17 western Victorian specialists and doctors calling for a Medicare-funded MRI machine in Warrnambool was sent to the House of Representatives several weeks ago.

Ms Roxon's spokeswoman said there were no further expansions of MRI licences planned .

"There is no ongoing process for obtaining Medicare eligibility for an MRI unit," she said.

"In the May 2009 Budget the Government announced a review to develop options for future arrangements in relation to the funding of MRI.

"It is expected that this MRI review will focus in particular on current restrictions around Medicare-eligible/ineligible units and the options in relation to lifting or reducing these restrictions.

"It would be premature to pre-empt the review's findings or speculate about future budgets."

Warrnambool-bas ed oncologist Dr John Hounsell, who helped instigate the petition estimates that at least 12 patients a week are transported from the south-west to Geelong for MRI screening.

Dan Tehan, the Liberal candidate for Wannon who invited Ms Roxon to meet the doctors, yesterday welcomed Ms Roxon's indication she would be prepared to visit.

Meanwhile, independent candidate for Wannon Ralph Leutton called on the Federal Government to fund a $200,000 feasibility study into a proposed regional cancer care centre for Warrnambool.

The cancer centre push is a focus of the "Peter's Project" which was officially launched last night.

It aims to integrate and develop cancer care services into a one-stop centre for patients in south-west Victoria and south-east South Australia.