STEVE Fielding's eccentric political career could end at next month's federal election, yet the Victorian senator has spent five vital days of the campaign on secret missions in southern Afghanistan.

In a phone call from Dubai as he flew home from the war zone, Senator Fielding told The Age ''strict security requirements for the safety of troops and myself'' prevented any press releases about the nine-day trip.

Liberal senator Guy Barnett and veteran Liberal MHR Philip Ruddock travelled with Senator Fielding to the Australian base at Tarin Kowt for a government-funded familiarisation of the campaign against the Taliban.

''It is a very difficult and dangerous place,'' Senator Fielding said.