A Coalition senator has accused his own government of caving to "populist pressure" with its crackdown on parliamentary perks and blamed "shock jocks and dishonest journalists" for stoking unfair criticism of politicians.

Ian Macdonald railed against Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's decision to scrap the Life Gold Pass - a notorious post-Parliament entitlement that gives long-serving former MPs free business-class travel on the taxpayer.

Despite Senator Macdonald's best efforts, including several lengthy speeches in the chamber, the bill passed on the voices Thursday evening with multi-party support and without amendment.

Senator Macdonald has been inundated with hate mail since he took a public stand on the issue last week but refused to back down, saying politicians work such long hours they effectively get paid "less than $50 an hour".