HERVEY Bay MP Ted Sorensen has declined to attend a free public election forum, and will only go head-to-head with other candidates at a paid breakfast.

Mr Sorensen said he had a prior engagement and wasn't able to attend the Chronicle's election forum on Thursday evening.

The Chronicle sent Mr Sorensen a series of questions about what the prior engagement was and what other opportunities candidates had to see him speak publicly for free before the election but he failed to respond to three phone calls and two emails.

But he was expected to attend Wednesday morning's Chamber of Commerce breakfast, where non-members of the chamber paid $30 a head to hear the vision of Hervey Bay candidates.

However, the majority of other candidates will attend the Chronicle's forum at the Beach House Hotel on Thursday from 5.30pm.

Labor's Tony Gubbins, Independent Jannean Dean, PUP's Lynette Pearsall and Family First's Axel Beard will outline their cases for election.

Mr Gubbins said he would talk about supporting the Urangan Marina redevelopment, as well as "restoring Tafe, jobs and education" in the region.

As an Independent, serving the community will be Ms Dean's topic of discussion.

"I want to talk about working together in government instead of finger-pointing and blame gaming," she said.

PUP's Ms Pearsall, who is an owner-operator of a holistic wellness centre on the Sunshine Coast, said health was her "hobby horse".

"Every person that I'm talking to has got a problem with waiting lists, with costs and with travel - they're travelling everywhere else for treatment," she said.

Family First representative Axel Beard is the Fraser Coast's youngest candidate at 24 years old.

He plans to combat youth unemployment by abolishing the payroll tax for employees aged 18 to 24 year so businesses could "take a risk on someone young."

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And in the hotly contested seat of Maryborough, all candidates bar one will debate their policy at the Brolga Theatre on Wednesday night.

The Maryborough electorate is the second most marginal seat in Queensland at only 0.3%, and it's tipped to be a nail-biter this election.

Incumbent Anne Maddern and several difficult challengers stand in the way of Independent candidate Chris Foley's political reincarnation.

But during his speech at the Brolga, Mr Foley will reaffirm his opposition to asset sales while outline plans to bring manufacturing businesses back to town.

Member for Maryborough Anne Maddern will attempt to sway voters by speaking about her record.

"The focus will be on what we inherited, what we have achieved and plans for the future," she said.

One Nation candidate Damian Huxham said he hoped to make a personal connection with the audience because he wasn't a part of the big parties. .

"I'm not the lesser of two evils-I've had enough and I'm throwing my hat in the ring," he said.

Labor's Bruce Saunders will cover several issues with the focus to "put Maryborough first and get the electorate moving."

PUP candidate Steve Anderson will share his history living in Maryborough as well as detail some policy points.

Katherine Webb will explain what the Greens stand for and how the issues relate to Maryborough.

Independent candidate Russell Wattie won't be able to attend due to interstate work commitments, but asked residents to email him at russellwattieformp@gmail.com to hear his vision.

Meet the candidates

• Maryborough: At the Brolga Theatre from 5.30pm on Wednesday
• Hervey Bay: At the Beach House Hotel from 5.30pm on Thursday