Attorney General Christian Porter has signalled he may sacrifice his ministerial power to deregister law-breaking unions - or ban their officials from holding office - if it will enable the government to pass its union-busting legislation.

Mr Porter, the Morrison government's Industrial Relations Minister, said he was open to making "reasonable changes" to the Ensuring Integrity Bill as he negotiates with Senate crossbenchers, whose support is needed to pass the controversial reforms.

Attorney-General Christian Porter is open to amending his union-busting bill. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Centre Alliance senator Rex Patrick has demanded the removal of a provision giving Mr Porter the ability to apply for deregistration or disqualification.

Commissioner Dyson Heydon's trade union royal commission report recommended only that the Registered Organisation Commission - which has a statutory obligation of neutrality - hold this power.