The sum, to be announced today, is almost three times the $2.5 million promised by the Government at the last election to build a super clinic in Shell Cove.

But the pledge comes amid new concerns the clinics have been used as political tools and have created unfair competition.

Labor candidate for Gilmore Neil Reilly yesterday suggested a super clinic could be operational in Nowra within months of the election, despite it taking almost three years for builders to break ground on the Shell Cove clinic.

"That was before Neil Reilly," he said. "It might be optimistic but I'd like to see it up and running before Christmas.

"There is a very, very high need for this facility. Every person I'm doorknocking on the South Coast is calling for additional health service delivery."

Mr Reilly said heath care professionals from the region would be consulted as part of planning for the clinic, but he expected it would offer GP services, as well as pathology, X-ray, a variety of scans and some specialist services, eliminating the need for consumers to make three or four trips for tests.

The Government has traditionally spruiked the super clinic concept as a one-stop shop, combining GP services with screening capabilities and allied health professionals.

The concept also includes extended operating hours, however the Shell Cove clinic has announced only standard hours.

Mr Reilly said the Government "would encourage" extended hours when it called for tenders at Nowra.

Super clinics have emerged as one of the divisive elements of the 2010 election campaign, with Opposition Leader Tony Abbott promising to axe plans for new facilities if elected.

The Australian Medical Association has raised concerns of unfair competition, saying government funding gave "a huge leg-up" to super clinic operators at the expense of established practice owners who had invested for years in their suburb.

Earlier this week, Dr Morris Williams, who runs a mixed billing practice in Strathpine, Brisbane, hit out at the super clinic in his suburb, labelling it a political stunt aimed at ousting Liberal National Party incumbent and Opposition health spokesman Peter Dutton.

Dr Williams claimed none of the established practices in the area were overly busy and said the Government's money would have been better spent elsewhere.

Health Minister Nicola Roxon denied the Strathpine facility was a tactic, or that other clinics could have taken business away from established practices.

EDITORIALJust the tonic - Page 20