ROCKHAMPTON is a vital cog in ensuring Australia's economy prospers, says outgoing Senator Barnaby Joyce.

Senator Joyce, who is standing for the seat of New England at the Federal election, joined LNP candidate for Capricornia Michelle Landry for a community forum at the CQ Leagues Club yesterday.

He fielded questions from local residents and said it was vital the federal government ensured Central Queensland continued to prosper.

"You've got to have a really proactive movement towards investment in these regional areas," Senator Joyce said.

"If you don't do that... the whole nation goes upside down. Places such as Rockhampton are crucial.

"They're crucial because the money that spins around the nation emanates from regional Australia."

Senator Joyce earmarked Rockhampton as a crucial industrial link to the Central Queensland coal fields and the region's cattle industry.

He said the proposed Rockhampton western bypass was a high priority for a Coalition government.

"This is a vital link if you want to be able to keep the place moving, especially during floods," he said.

Senator Joyce admitted it would be a tough run for Ms Landry to win the seat being vacated by retiring Member for Capricornia Kirsten Livermore.

He said before long the Australian people would start to see right through Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.

"I just feel that Mr Rudd did start with a honeymoon, but now a whole range of things, as they do, are starting to make no sense.

"(The Papua New Guinea asylum seeker policy) is starting to come unstuck, and in the next few weeks you'll find that people within the Labor Party will start saying: 'This is mad, you're back to the same madness we had before; it's all gone crazy'."

Ms Landry said residents aired their concerns on issues including asylum seekers, imported food products, the flood levee bank and financial support for pensioners.