The audience at Tuesday's Illawarra Business Chamber candidates debate would have been forgiven for thinking they had the choice between Kiama Liberal MP Gareth Ward and Keira Labor MP Ryan Park on March 28.

Both "captained" their teams for the pre-election face-off, but all candidates had the chance to answer questions.

The debate centred around the two major parties, with Wollongong candidates Arthur Rorris (independent) and Mitchell Bresser (Greens) forced to watch from the sidelines until late in the forum.

Labor left the talking to Mr Park - with not a word uttered by member for Wollongong Noreen Hay, Shellharbour MP Anna Watson or Kiama Labor candidate Glenn Kolomeitz.

On the table opposite, the scenario was almost the same.

Mr Ward had the most to say, although Keira hopeful Philip Clifford tackled one question and Shellharbour candidate Mark Jones delivered the closing one-sentence statement.

Liberal candidate for Wollongong Cameron Walters remained silent.

The pre-submitted questions included how each party would improve the business environment in the region and what they would do to ensure better connectivity between Sydney and Wollongong.

Quizzed about whether their parties had specific infrastructure plans for the Illawarra, Mr Park and Mr Ward reiterated earlier announcements and hinted at more to come.

The debate was without any heated moments, but there were a few strong words when Mr Bresser and Mr Rorris had their brief chance to address the forum.

"For too long Wollongong has been forgotten by both the Liberal and Labor governments," Mr Bresser said.

"Wollongong needs long-term sustainable economic growth, not short-sighted politicians."

In his parting comment, Mr Rorris noted ABC election analyst Antony Green's prediction of a hung parliament was an "exciting prospect" and created a few murmurs in the crowd.

"The decision you, as a business community, would have to make is this: who do you want as the independent the government of either side needs to negotiate with," Mr Rorris said.

"Do you want the member for Wollongong to be the one holding the purse strings ... or do you want an independent in some other region holding that power?"

Professor Michael Hough, from the University of Wollongong's Business School, and David Potts, a lawyer with Kells, said they were impressed by the quality of issues raised.

"I thought they offered a genuine choice," Mr Hough said.

The event followed a similar format to a NSW Business Chamber-led debate between NSW Premier Mike Baird and Opposition Leader Luke Foley last month.

IBC chief executive Debra Murphy said the debate centred around policy issues, with a focus on business and infrastructure.

"This provided the two major parties an opportunity to put forward their policy positions in an Illawarra context," Ms Murphy said.

"Other candidates who expressed an interest in being involved were provided the opportunity to have their say at the conclusion of the debate."

andrew.pearson@fairfaxmedia.com.au