Senior Liberal figure Christopher Pyne has privately lobbied a broadcaster to help stop independent senator Nick Xenophon from running a candidate in his seat.
In a series of text messages obtained by The Australian newspaper, Mr Pyne urges Adelaide radio host Leon Byner to "help" him by convincing Senator Xenophon not to run a candidate in the seat of Sturt.
Mr Pyne has told the paper there's nothing improper about the texts, arguing it "makes sense and is to the benefit of South Australia that Nick Xenophon and I are not at loggerheads".
Cabinet colleague Simon Birmingham has told Sky News that Mr Pyne left "no stone unturned in relation to any political battle he is in".
The "awful" aspect of Senator Xenophon's team was that it was built around himself, but asked people to vote for other candidates.
Personality parties often "fall apart at the seams once a bit of pressure is applied", Senator Birmingham said.
