Pauline Hanson is struggling to contain an "implosion" of her political movement as One Nation rebel Brian Burston attacks her unfettered power and refuses her demand to give up his Senate seat, sparking predictions of a voter backlash at the "histrionics" that are splitting the party.

The spectacular divisions led to an impasse late on Friday when Senator Hanson issued a written directive to Senator Burston to remove him as a party officer while he insisted he would remain loyal to the party and keep his place in federal parliament.

The split adds to the uncertainty in the Senate ahead of two crucial votes on income tax cuts worth $140 billion and company tax cuts worth $35.6 billion over a decade, with the government facing a bigger challenge in getting Senator Hanson to back its agenda.

Former One Nation members blamed Senator Hanson for the political strife while observers said the events proved again that she had poor judgment in choosing candidates and a history of driving away her own allies.

Queensland independent senator Fraser Anning, who was forced out of One Nation last year, said voters would judge the party for the "histrionics" and "false accusations" in the treatment of Senator Burston, saying it echoed his experience.