This was the crux of discussions at Monday's Politics In The Pub event, the last before the electorate hits the polls on July 2.

Citizens Electoral Council candidate Lindsay Cosgrove, The Greens' Michaela Sherwood and Labor's Aoife Champion attended while Christian Democratic Party candidate Adrian Van Der Byl and Liberal Party candidate Angus Taylor were apologies.

Joining the panel were Nick Xenophon Team Senate candidate Aidan Dalgliesh and Country Labor's Vivien Thomson (see story below).

Ms Sherwood took the opportunity during open remarks to comment on the NBN and 'the internet of things' as an opportunity for regional areas.

As reported in the Goulburn Post (15/6), the Internet Of Things is a technology heavily reliant on speedy uploads, as well as downloads. For it to be effective, fast-paced reliable internet would be a necessity. Satellite connections wouldn't cut it.

Ms Sherwood said the Greens would call for an "urgent revision of the rollout". She also cited a Very Fast Train as a necessity.

Ms Champion said Goulburn had potential for significant growth. In her own part of the electorate, Camden, she had seen first-hand the impacts of reliable, fast public transport.

Camden boasts a population of some 75,000 and a growth rate of six to seven per cent per year, she said. In comparison, Goulburn's population sits near 30,000 and the growth rate is about one to two per cent per year. Ms Champion said the difference came down to "purpose".

"Back in the day, Camden was much more like Goulburn. The reason I believe that the whole Macarthur region has been able to grow is because of the proximity to the city. Not proximity as the crow flies, but because there is good public transport," she said.

"Goulburn has the same opportunity given its location to Canberra . . . and not only Goulburn. Places like Boorowa and many other smaller towns throughout this region can become sustainable by their proximity to Goulburn, if cities like Goulburn were given more of a purpose."

But, she said, the growth needed to sustain the regions would not happen on its own. Instead, it was a matter of "build it and they will come".

"You can't expect it to happen organically. Regional cities have to be given purpose and they have to be given access in order for people to migrate there, want to stay there and have a good quality of life," she said.

Mr Cosgrove said the establishment of a government-run bank would essentially solve all funding problems, paving the way for developments of "ring rail" fast trains, a better health system and regional growth.