Public stoush over Caulfield Hospital as deputy Liberal leader faces crowded marginal seat challenge

Deputy Victorian Liberal leader David Southwick is banking on a contested hospital upgrade to ward off challengers in the marginal seat of Caulfield, where his last state election win came down to fewer than 300 votes.

"I'm not sure how many friends I have in terms of those opponents who are against me," he said ahead of a Wednesday night candidates forum.

"Hopefully I have a few more friends in the room, but at the end of the day, it's great that people have come out in a democratic way to have a say."

The forum's most fiery on-stage exchange came over Mr Southwick's proposal for a $550 million redevelopment of the Caulfield Hospital.

Labor has said that proposal is not costed, but Southwick told the forum that's because the state government won't release key figures.

"By his own admission, this is a figure that's un-costed," said Labor challenger Lior Harel. "He said [the Alfred Hospital] said 550."

"I went to the government to get the plans," Mr Southwick countered. "The government would not release those plans to me."

"[The Alfred] said, we can't give it to you, the government won't give it to you," Mr Southwick claimed, "but I'll tell you it's $550 million."

The forum at Glen Eira City Hall saw candidates field questions on big political issues that matter personally to Caulfield voters.

"We've seen what the major parties can offer," teal-branded independent Nomi Kaltmann told the room, "and quite frankly: we're sick of it, and for good reason."

Greens candidate Rachel Iampolski said she'd use the event to push for "a planning system overhaul" and education funding for "public schools, not private schools", while the Animal Justice Party's Asher Myerson said he's "doing everything for equality and freedom".

The forum was at times contentious, with Liberal Democrat Michael Abelman raising the issue of Covid vaccine hesitancy as he ran out of time in his opening statement.

Another robust exchange came when an audience member heckled David Southwick, leading to a back-and-forth over the heckler's accusation that the incumbent had made "a slur" against someone's character.

Moderators tried to move on to the next question, but there was laughter from observers when it turned out it was that same audience member's turn.

With a crowded field of political contenders and the last election coming down to just a handful of votes, David Southwick's political career could be on life support.