Candidates pointed to removing suspended sentences, cutting funding to social housing programs and legal aid, as well as lack of oversight of law reform as creating an "unbalanced legal system".

The justice forum aimed to outline the ways in which each party would approach issues of criminal justice, as well as housing justice, drug policy and mental health support.

Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan said on the surface Bendigo was a prosperous city, but there were still many missing out.

"Not far below the surface, issues of unemployment and underemployment mean so many are missing out on opportunities," she said.

The Labor members discussed their plan for a Royal Commission into family violence and promised to adopt all of its recommendations. They also talked about an "ice intervention plan" to be released within 100 days of the election.

Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards said Labor would increase funding for community legal centres.

Removing suspended sentences came in for heavy criticism from each candidate.

Greens candidate for Bendigo West John Brownstein said "the whole concept of taking them away was a problem" and there needed to be more focus on "alternative pathways".

He said more funding was needed for "diversionary" programs.

The Greens candidates also discussed their policy of investing $80 million into mental health support services.

Palmer United Party Northern Victoria region candidate Hans Paas said "if governments build more prisons, they have lost control of civil society".

"We want to see sentencing that highlights rehabilitation. The steady deregulation of legal aid has consequences for justice," he said.

Mr Paas said he would pressure PUP to move in the Sex Party's direction on drug policy.

Sex Party candidate for Northern Victoria region Charlie Crutchfield said drug policy needed to take a "harm minimisation" approach.

He said Victoria needed to look overseas for alternative ways of dealing with drug policy.