Christopher Pyne and Liberals fear rise of Nick Xenophon in the Senate could prove decisive in his seat of Sturt

LIBERAL frontbencher Christopher Pyne will be condemned to “home detention” during the election campaign because his seat is under serious threat.

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LIBERAL frontbencher Christopher Pyne will be condemned to home detention during the election campaign admitting he will be grounded because he risks losing the seat to Labor.

In a frank admission, Mr Pyne has confirmed on his television program Pyne and Marles on Sky News that he travelled the country during the last campaign but will now be confined to barracks.

Minister for Industry Christopher Pyne says he’s confining himself to barracks. Picture: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

Liberals fear the rise of Independent Nick Xenophon who already plays a powerful role in the Senate could prove decisive in a number of seats including Mr Pyne’s electorate of Sturt where he is running a candidate.

Mr Pyne told Sky News that the independent’s preferences could hand the blue-ribbon Liberal seat to Labor.

“This will be my 10th election campaign and last year I was on the road the whole time but because this election Labor could get elected in my seat with the preferences of the Nick Xenophon candidate I will have to be staying home and campaigning,’’ he said.

“I am looking forward to getting out on the hustings as I always have.”