The first-time candidate, and former Livestock and Bulk Carriers Association executive director, admits Canberrans are talking about public service cuts, but says they recognise almost all were made in a "secret way" by the previous Labor government.

He remains upbeat about the ACT's economy. "[Constituents] acknowledge the Turnbull government reduced the size of the public service a little bit in the beginning, but we're now in a period of strong growth here in the ACT.

"The public sector is going very well as is the local Canberra community. We've got the lowest unemployment rate in the Australia at 4.1 per cent and going down. Things are quite prosperous here in Canberra and they'll continue if we keep the Turnbull Liberal government in power."

While Gunning "appreciates" the issue of cuts to national cultural institutions, he hasn't heard any negative feedback from constituents. "[It's] about the public service looking at its priorities and needing to operate inside a budget, so there are choices that need to be made."

When it comes to local matters, Gunning says Canberrans are aware of the difference between the federal and ACT governments, but the two are linked. He cites housing affordability as a national issue that the federal government is addressing in Canberra by opening the way for the ACT government to develop new suburbs in west Belconnen and Tuggeranong. "People do put someone in Federal Parliament to worry about those big national issues, but ... they have to mean something in people's daily lives."

While he acknowledges it is a "possibility" he could pick up votes from light-rail opponents wanting to register their anger with Labor, he doesn't expect it to have a big impact in an otherwise safe Labor seat.

"I'm running in part to give people the opportunity to vote Liberal who want to vote Liberal, but there are many people who recognise the Labor Party at the national level is simply on the wrong path, they've all sorts of unsustainable promises."