Crossbench Senators resist tax changes as government stands firm

The Turnbull Government is facing a battle to get its $140 billion Budget tax reform package through Parliament with crossbench Senators ready to fight.

South Australian Independent Tim Storer is opposing long-term changes, and Pauline Hanson has signalled the three One Nation Senators won't back them.

They will support the first stage, giving cuts to low and middle income earners, but not the rest over seven years.

Labor has indicated they'll also back stage the first cuts.

Treasurer Scott Morrison, who introduced the legislation to the Lower House the morning after the Budget, says it "sits as one" and won't be split up.

The government needs nine of the 11 crossbenchers, leaving it without the numbers.

"I don't see them as progressive compared to the current tax rates we have," Senator Storer said.

He would, he said, consider it more closely, but clearly needs to be won over.

Senator Hanson said she won't deny initial cuts of between $200 and $530, but the latter stages are too far away.

"That's unreasonable for us to vote on that," she said.

"We have to see how the economy's travelling at that time.

"We can't support it. We will not support it. It's irresponsible."

She described the budget as "sugar-coated" for the next election, and built on "egg shells".

"It could collapse at any time," she said.

She wants to negotiate with the government to slash the migration intake to 75,000, more done to recover tax from multi nationals, and more done to pay down debt.