Conservative Party leader Cory Bernardi says some of the "tens of thousands" of people who responded to unsolicited text messages from him had told him that cost-of-living pressures aren't their only focus ahead of next month's election.
The Advertiser reports, as the two major political parties fight out the leadership over tax policies, Senator Bernardi asked voters, via text, about what issue was important for them.
The Australian Conservatives leader says those who replied also raised concerns about immigration, energy costs and reliability, and freedom of speech.
The South Australian Senator says his texts were an opportunity for South Australians to "communicate directly with one of their senators".
"The tens of thousands of responses I have received in the past 24 hours indicates many are grateful for the opportunity to do so," he said.
"If they'd rather not hear from me then they can simply opt out."
