Independent senator Nick Xenophon is preparing for an "ultra-marathon" federal election campaign.
Few do campaigns better than the popular South Australian, known for publicity stunts including bringing a pig to parliament to highlight MPs' perks.
So it was no surprise he chose to launch the Nick Xenophon Team's campaign outside Adelaide Oval on Sunday as thousands of Port Adelaide fans arrived for their side's AFL clash.
Flanked by NXT candidates, Senator Xenophon said protecting Australian jobs and preventing predatory gambling would lead his party's campaign.
"If you think election campaigns are normally a marathon, an eight-week campaign will be an ultra-marathon and we're ready for it," he told reporters.
"We want to hold the balance of power because we think there needs to be a strong, sensible voice from the political centre to act as a bridge between the left and right of politics."
Senator Xenophon said he was yet to decide how the party would distribute preferences, with options including an open ticket or seat-by-seat allocations.
"We would be mugs to decide that now. We want to keep our options open otherwise our negotiating position will be compromised," he said.
Senator Xenophon's ticket claimed 24.9 per cent of the Senate vote in SA in 2013, just short of the second quota required for running mate Stirling Griff after preferences.
If he can replicate that success in a double-dissolution election, three or potentially even four Senate spots could fall his way.
The NXT is also a chance of stealing a lower house seat in SA, including Jamie Briggs' Adelaide Hills seat of Mayo.
