The incoming crossbench senators who will decide the fate of the Abbott government's budget have warned of a revolt if changes to the Senate voting system disadvantage minor parties.

A record number of senators from minor and micro parties were elected at the last federal poll, including three from the Palmer United Party, and one each from the Motoring Enthusiast Party, the Liberal Democratic Party and Family First.

Senators

They join independent Nick Xenophon and the Democratic Labor Party's John Madigan and, combined, the eight will hold the power to block or support many of the government's key measures as they go through the upper house.

But several have warned the government that, if it tries to abolish group voting tickets in Senate elections - a recommendation of a Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters - it will poison the relationship with the crossbench.