More savings to be found: Sinodinos

Cabinet secretary Arthur Sinodinos says the government is seeking Treasury advice on more budget savings.

Senator Sinodinos, a former chief of staff to John Howard, was appointed to the cabinet in the reshuffle following Malcolm Turnbull's elevation to the prime ministership.

He said that while Treasurer Scott Morrison and Finance Minister Mathias Cormann were not "giving up" on new spending, they were seeking advice on savings on the "spending side" as well as revenue.

"Unless you are prepared to look at cutting spending then you are only looking at one side of the equation," Senator Sinodinos told Sky News.

He said two areas in which efficiencies could be found were improved use of technology by the public service and "incentives to stay on welfare".

The government is due to release the mid-year budget review in December.