The government's $50 million pledge to Tumut Hospital was also a major part of discussions, with multiple candidates naming the rebuild as a priority.

Five of Wagga's six candidates took questions from the public for two hours in Wagga's Riverine Club.

The Nationals' Mackenna Powell attended the forum despite it being run by a political group dedicated to defeating her party in regional NSW.

She was joined by Australian Conservatives candidate Colin Taggart, independent Wagga MP Joe McGirr, The Greens' Ray Goodlass and Labor's Dan Hayes.

The 'Q and A' style event was mostly civil but Mr Hayes and Ms Powell did criticise Dr McGirr's statements on crime.

"The perception I get from residents is that (crime) is a major concern," Dr McGirr said.

"The first aspect is getting police numbers right and in my discussion with the Police Association it would seem that this region is short at least 42 officers and Wagga itself is short 15 general duties constables," Dr McGirr said.

Ms Powell said Dr McGirr's use of "hard numbers" was questionable given she had not been given a firm head count in her meetings with police.

Mr Hayes said Dr McGirr's focus on break-ins and car theft was neglecting family violence.

Mr Taggart called for a "crackdown" on criminals who were "terrorising" Wagga, with "do-gooder and bleeding hearts" are sympathising more with criminals than victims.

"No amount of police will help when people are being simply let go by the courts," he said.

READ MORE: The Daily Advertiser's live blog of the candidates forum

In response to a question about Wagga potentially being left off a commuter fast rail lines, Ms Powell said inland freight rail would create business opportunities and she would raise passenger rail concerns with ministers.

Dr McGirr praised the federal government for its freight rail investments but said it appeared Wagga had been left out on passenger rail.

"While they construct routes out to Goulburn and Orange and such and try to create this commuter district for Sydney, I think there is an opportunity for transport from Wagga by linking in a direct service to Sydney," he said.

Dr McGirr said the XPT Sydney service was "torturous six-hour train ride" due to not enough funding and too many stops.

Mr Hayes said Wagga had been left off the map with commuter rail while there were "tremendous opportunities" for linking Wagga and Tumut to jobs and tourism via Canberra's international airport.

Mr Goodlass said Dr McGirr must have only caught the XPT on good days as "it's at least seven hours to Sydney" and called for "basic track work" to boost speeds.

The issue of support for small business generated a range of responses.

Mr Taggart claimed he is the only candidate on the ticket who was not a "socialist" and would strive to reduce red tape.

Mr Hayes said regional funding from the Snowy Mountains Scheme sale and Labor's free TAFE policy would provide stimulus to small businesses.

"I'm not expecting that to fix everything; we are looking at challenges in retail from online" he said.

Mr Goodlass said 'red tape' was also protection for workers and customers.

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