Nick Xenophon is a "phenomenon" who has tapped into a "deep vein of discontent" in South Australia, Australian Conservatives Senator Cory Bernardi says.
Senator Bernardi says the SA-Best leader and former federal senator, who is bidding to win a seat in the South Australian parliament, has recognised that voters are fed up with the elite political class.
"His policies don't really matter, his track record doesn't matter, he is Teflon and I think he has changed the game here in South Australia," Senator Bernardi told ABC radio on Wednesday.
"They recognise the political class, the institutionalised two-party system, is failing them."
South Australian federal Liberal MP Christopher Pyne said the surge in polling numbers for Mr Xenophon was a "protest movement" and voters would soon pick up on his lack of substance.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
"The Xenophon vote is a leap into the dark. It all sounds very well to a pollster on the end of a telephone, but when you have to decide on the future of your state or country it needs to be decided on policy," Mr Pyne told 5AA radio.
"Nick Xenophon has never had executive power of any kind. He is simply amending other people's work."
Voters would reflect on what policies directly impacted them in the lead-up to the election, federal South Australian Labor MP Amanda Rishworth said.
"I'm not sure Nick Xenophon has comprehensive policies in all areas," Ms Rishworth said.
A Galaxy poll, published on Monday, which surveyed key seats in Adelaide's south and east, predicted Mr Xenophon's party winning at least three seats in the area.
South Australians go to the polls on March 17 with SA-Best planning to run in about 30 seats with an eye on seizing the balance of power in state parliament.
