Seven candidates were present, however, Liberal Democrats candidate Stephen Bisgrove was absent.

Here's the highlights of what they said ...

The member for Orange said he had achieved success in his two years in the seat including wins for freight subsidies for farmers and in Orange scoring a four-bed trial palliative care program.

He said he was also working on securing more police. "There are more police resources coming, watch this space," he said.

Mr Donato also called for the scrapping of the Murray Darling Basin Authority and called for a Royal Commission in water theft from the river system.

He said he believed if elected he would have a say in the make-up of the new parliament.

"It looks like it's going to be a hung parliament either way," he said.

Mr Donato suggested tax concessions and waiving of council rates to help businesses in the drought.

Mrs Hazelton said Orange need representation by a member of the government.

"I believe the only way we may get change is from inside government. I'm sick of seeing just the basics compared to what Dubbo and Bathurst are getting," she said.

She called for the government's promised $25 million sports stadium and the proposed conservatorium which she said would benefit young people.

Mrs Hazelton said the government had allocated funds for regional roads.

In reply to questions about how strong she would be able to make her voice heard in government Mrs Hazelton said she was committed.

"If I believe strong enough in an issue and I've spoken to my electorate I will cross the floor," she said.

"I'm a good woman, I'm a decent woman, I have strong moral values and I would carry that through with me," she said.

Mr Sanger said Labor would support education, health and TAFE.

"We all know Labor will save TAFE," he said.

He said Orange was missing out on funding and programs compared to other regional centres.

"Orange is lacking compared to Dubbo and Bathurst, we all know that."

Mr Sanger said Labor was committed to regional road funding.

"We are trying to take roads off councils and put them back into state," he said.

Cr Nugent backed the Orange City Council's planned health and sciences precinct at Bloomfield.

He said he would support the planned mountain bike trails as long as they did not affect the environment on Mount Canobolas.

And he also backed solar power.

"I'd like to see a solar facility put out here on land that is not for agricultural use," he said.

Cr Nugent also said he was concerned about the extent of homelessness in the region.

"It is there, it is real," he said.

"I have a strong background in senior leadership in business," he said.

Mr McMahon said he would listen to young people's views.

"I [would ask] One year 11 student from each high school. I want to hear from them and what their issues are," he said.

VIDEO: Complete coverage of the forum …

Mr McMahon said the government needed to have a detailed strategy to deal with the drought.

"We have to have a long term strategy not something that is going to last for the next year or two," he said.

She said as a survivor of domestic violence she would work hard for programs and strategies to tackle the problem in rural areas.

And she said she would work for farmers. "Water is pretty big on my agenda," she said.

Ms Baxter said she also would push for more police and a drug rehabilitation centre for the electorate.

"I'm just going to fight for everybody in the Orange electorate," she said.

Mr Davey, a farmer, said he would push for rural infrastructure and drought relief infrastructure for the region.

He backed tourism as a growth area for the region.

Mr Davey also said Christian values were important and he did not support a safe schools program.

"Let kids be kids and get sex off the agenda," he said.

Mr Davey suggested reducing payroll tax to help farmers and small businesses in times of drought.