A key Liberal candidate for the marginal federal seat of Bruce has expressed concern about the excessive number of people in the area who do not speak English as their first language.

Former federal senator Helen Kroger has ramped up a battle to win preselection for the south-eastern suburban Melbourne seat, which has been held by Labor since 1996.

Helen Kroger has ramped up a battle to win Liberal preselection for the south-eastern suburban Melbourne seat of Bruce. Credit:Craig Abraham

In a pitch to Liberal members, Ms Kroger writes of her concern about the large numbers of ethnic communities who lack English skills.

"There are over 150 communities with different ethnic origins residing in the area," Ms Kroger says in the letter to party members. "It is concerning that many of these people do not speak English as their first language and this needs to be addressed."