A HOLISTIC nurse, a well-travelled law student, a former teacher and a vision-impaired mum fed up with the "grubbiness" in state politics, took up the challenge to try to sway voters in Hervey Bay on Thursday night.

Almost 100 people gathered at the Beach House to hear from four of the city's six candidates contesting the seat currently held by LNP member Ted Sorensen.

First-up was newcomer Lyn Pearsall, who after only three days living in Hervey Bay admitted that while she was "yet to hear" about some of the issues impacting the region, she was set to listen.

Along with a promise to say no to asset sales, the mother, grandmother and qualified nurse and family planner told the crowd she ran a holistic wellness centre on the Sunshine Coast before making the move to Hervey Bay and hoped her experience could make a difference to the city's health.

Family First's Axel Beard, the only candidate to answer every question from the floor, said getting youth out of the "rut of unemployment" remained his number one goal and promised to be a voice against decisions made in the party room if they "were good for Brisbane but not good for Hervey Bay".

Jobs were also at the top of the list for Independent Jannean Dean who was prepared to "get a bit radical" in the interest of her city and, wanted to see a rail link revisited between Maryborough and Hervey Bay as well as a blanket rule for tourism operators working in the Great Sandy Strait

Long term Labor man Tony Gubbins, who saw better broadband and the potential for tourism dollars in diving wrecks and recreational fishing said a vote for him was a vote for jobs with a promise to inject $34million back into the state's TAFE colleges, received resounding applause.

Ms Dean and Mr Gubbins strongly opposed coal seam gas mining.

The Newman government's bikie laws also roused debate with Mr Gubbins reiterating Labor's promise to overturn the VLAD legislation and Mr Beard stating he was "deeply uncomfortable with laws that criminalise associations" and the precedent they set.

Topics which proved a struggle for all were improving sporting facilities, disability care and protection of the Great Barrier Reef.