Just six out of 75 senators are willing to forego pay rises until the federal government delivers a budget surplus.

Senators were put on the spot on Tuesday when ex-government senator Cory Bernardi and Liberal Democrat David Leyonhjelm moved a motion that the Remuneration Tribunal not consider increasing the pay to senators until a surplus is delivered.

Only senators Bernardi, Leyonhjelm and fellow crossbenchers from One Nation and Jacqui Lambie voted in support of the motion.

The motion was supported by Liberal Democrat David Leyonhjelm. (AAP)

The government, Labor and the Greens voted against it.

Greens leader Richard Di Natale said he was sympathetic to the intent of the proposal but wanted it amended to freeze pay rises until the government was prepared to address inequality in Australia.

"What (Senator Bernardi) is really talking about is waiting until we see cuts to health, to education," he said.

"We cannot support this motion as it stands."