The large crowd attending the Astor Hotel were passionately engaged with the discussion, asking questions about climate change, public transport, Indigenous Australians, political donations, youth, national debt levels and problem gambling.

The panel comprised Labor candidate Aoife Champion, Independent Huw Kingston, The Greens' David Powell and Fraser Anning's Conservative National Party candidate Tanya Hargraves. Member for Hume Angus Taylor was an apology.

Candidates outlined their views in opening addresses, with Huw Kingston saying two things had made him run for parliament - a lack of integrity in politics and inaction on climate change.

"I want debate not dog whistling, services not self-interest, vision not vindictiveness in politics," he said.

Aoife Champion questioned the evening's topic, which asked them for their visions for Hume.

"I find it bizarre after 50 odd years of Liberal representation here that are we still asking about a vision for Goulburn. Why are we not there already?

"The Labor Party as a vision. We are painting a picture of what Australia should look like - be excited about it."

David Powell said "climate change was the issue of our generation."

"If you are not reducing climate change then you are part of the problem," he said.

"Privatisation has led to the high costs of energy, not renewables."

Tanya Hargraves called for the creation of a national development bank to fund infrastructure to build schools, dams and hospitals.

"Remove the renewable energy targets and subsidies and the cost of energy would be 40 per cent lower," she said.

On the role of agriculture in climate change, it was acknowledged that it is about 15 per cent of greenhouse gases, but the issue is never raised.

Mr Kingston said agriculture was hard to tackle in relation to climate change, which is why other sectors such as energy and transport were being targeted first.

Aoife Champion said it was a difficult issue to address.

"The consumption of animals is still very much part of the way of life for Australians. It is asking people to change preferences in the way they eat," she said.

On public transport in Hume, Ms Champion said the ALP was open to any options on train services such as a VFT, tilt-trains or electrifying the line beyond MacArthur.

Mr Kingston said there was an "appalling standard of public transport in this country."

"Melbourne to Sydney is the second busiest domestic air route in the world yet the train takes 10 hours and new towns like Wilton and Appin are being built without access to public transport," he said.

Mr Powell said a VFT is not economically viable in Australia due to a lack of population.

Ms Hargraves said a national bank would fix the rail system's needs.

A question was raised about the rejection of the Uluru Statement by the Liberal and National Party, which Ms Champion said was "pure paternalism."

"They are still not listening to Indigenous people. The ALP is listening to them and this is how we will move forward," she said.

Mr Powell said a treaty must be negotiated with Indigenous people.

Mr Kingston said he was "disgusted" at how the Uluru Statement was treated, saying it showed "an appalling lack of respect."

Questions about political donations and national debt levels got some lively answers.

Mr Powell said the tax system was "broken because one in three companies do not pay tax."

"It needs reforming - then we would have more money available to improve health and education systems."

Ms Champion said it was a "fairytale" that Labor were poor economic managers.

"The ALP kept us out of recession following the GFC because we knew we had to spend our way out building infrastructure," she said.

"The Liberals rely on trickle-down economics, but the trouble is the pockets of those at the top keep expanding and less money trickles down to the lower sections of society."

"We will close all tax loopholes. We will not allow large internationally registered corporations to now pay tax. We will redistribute wealth."

On services for youth, Mr Kingston said "the most important issue to them is climate change."

He also said youth obesity due to too much time on screens was emerging as a problem.

Ms Champion said young people are realising their voting power collectively in relation to issues such as climate change.

"We need to leave a planet they can live in," she said.

A question about eradicating problem gambling drew a mixed response, with Mr Powell saying the Greens recognised it was a public health issue and Mr Kingston saying gambling advertising should be banned.

Ms Champion said it was an "existential question."

"Our state is beholden to how clubs finance themselves. Clubs need pokies in order to function. That said, the ALP in NSW wanted to introduce legislation to ban family members from gambling if they had a problem with it. I agree it is a public health issue," she said.

Member for Hume Angus Taylor was an apology.

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