Riverina federal election 2019: Candidates share views on voter concerns | Video

Labor candidate Mark Jeffreson, United Australia Party's Richard Foley and Greens' Michael Bayles attended the forum while National Party candidate, Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack was not present.

The candidates answered questions about a range of topics including party policy on protecting workers in the age of the gig economy and casualisation.

The Labor candidate wanted proper living wages, which was a significant problem facing his electorate.

Mr Jeffreson said workers, especially young people, should have a choice between full-time, part-time and casual employment.

"Our policy is to have a decent wage system and get the fair work commission back into a unbiased commission, which is stacked with Liberal appointees," he said.

Mr Bayles said protecting workers' rights and wages could lead to a stronger economy.

"We need people to buy stuff and people aren't because they are using their wages for staples," he said.

Mr Foley could not speak on behalf of his party.

When candidates were asked about policies to help people gain job qualifications, Mr Foley said his party did not have a policy.

However, the UAP plans to make tertiary education "cheaper and easier to access" for local students who were competing for a position against foreign students.

He quoted that 90 per cent of international students are buying their spot, which was met by a loud objection from the crowd.

In a world of automation and robotics, Mr Foley wanted to advocate for a job guarantee system that could support people in between employment.

The Greens candidate believes in a fully-funded tertiary education system.

Mr Jeffreson said the centerpiece of Labor's education policy was rebuilding TAFE. He said the education system should support Australian citizens to fill trade gaps that the country outsourced.

Abortion laws

When asked about their position on reproductive autonomy, the Labor and Greens candidates agreed abortion should not be a criminal act.

Mr Jeffreson said a person has the right to control their fertility, while Mr Bayles said the criminal offence leads to "more risky" procedures.

Mr Foley did not know his party's position, but he said it was an "extremely" difficult subject.

He will be an advocate for a better support network for women that decide to raise a child and continue to further their careers.

Climate change was a hot topic for voters at the forum who asked about each party's climate change plans. The candidates were also asked about their position on global warming as a science.

The UAP candidate said his party looked to nuclear energy, continuing renewable energies and hydro-electricity.

Regardless of his belief in climate change, Mr Foley said Australia should do "something" about a cleaner world. He said renewable energy plays a part in achieving this, but not a significant role.

Mr Jeffreson said his party will look at all sources of energy. He said there was "no doubt" that climate change exists and human-kind has contributed.

"Our plan is to use what we have in order to get where we need to go, which is a more cleaner and renewable energy," he said.

Mr Jeffreson said the current government has "smashed" the country's water plan to pieces by "reckless, careless and thoughtless" acts.

"If the government doesn't change, I don't know what the answer is, but if it does we'll have a plan to ensure water security and mitigating climate change and its effects," he said.

The Greens candidate supported a total renewable economy.

The candidates were also asked about what the younger generation could do to know that their opinions are valued.

The question was in response to Mr McCormack's comments last week about young people being a big problem for this election because they did not experience a recession.

Mr Jeffreson wished Mr McCormack was there to respond because young people face a range of problems such as penalty rate cuts and the casualisation of jobs.

Mr Bayles and Mr Foley encouraged young voters to ask questions and make an informed decision based on party policies.

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