WITH an estimated 6-7 months until the next federal election, Liberal Indi candidate James Trenery joined Senator for Victoria Jane Hume at a luncheon with Wangaratta businesspeople last Tuesday.

The cost of living, red tape and regulation and power bills were the focus of much of the conversations from businesspeople who want change.

While any new policy was kept under wraps, the pair hinted there will be some future announcements around helping small businesses, and also policies around housing and energy.

The Liberal Party announced on Saturday that it will provide $5 billion for enabling housing infrastructure if it gains office next election and it's something Mr Trenery said he's had excellent feedback on.

"We have had such a good reaction in regards to the housing policy, I've had phone calls from people in Wodonga and Wangaratta as well because they've been so frustrated over a period of time and nothing has been happening," he said.

"Now we've given them that opportunity and it affects all the communities I travel through."

Mr Trenery operates a freight company and he said he hears firsthand from people what the business landscape is like.

"We have to deliver some hope because a lot of small businesses aren't seeing any hope moving forward and they don't feel like anything is going to change and it's going to get worse, not better," he said.

"That's what we have to do is provide that hope and get something done.

"Regional communities need small businesses to thrive and if the main street is thriving, they're the people who are going to sponsor the cricket or footy side to bring that community together.

"I'm loving the campaign so far and it's great going out to talk to people and I've had a good opportunity to do that and I'm happy to keep going and getting that feedback to inform policies for Indi."

Mr Trenery and Senator Hume spoke about the Coalition's plans to introduce nuclear power stations to replace Australia's coal-fired power sites, with Mr Trenery saying it's the way to the future.

"As soon as Peter Dutton spoke about nuclear we started having a more sensible conversation and I think that's important," he said.

"We started realising there is $1.3 trillion and 28,000km of power lines that will be rolled out if we keep going down this track and we can change that.

"In having this sensible conversation, it means the options are open to do something better and I think it has given a bit of hope to those (protesting positioning of solar facilities) to keep going and keep pushing to get something done in those communities."

Senator Hume said there is always going to be a need for renewable energy but it's about getting the right energy mix over time, so Australia meets its targets of net zero by 2050.

The opening of Mr Trenery's campaign office is imminent, and people can contact him via his website or Facebook page.