Mr Palmer is understood to be willing to jettison PUP and move to a more generic brand like "United Australia Party", a former political party over which he now owns the rights to the name. Clive Palmer. Credit:Glenn Hunt Abandoning PUP after pumping millions of dollars from his corporate interests into the party since forming it less than three years ago would be a dramatic move for Mr Palmer and illustrates the magnitude of the voting changes backed by the Coalition and the Greens. Senator Leyonhjelm said nothing was agreed in the meeting. "But to borrow a phrase, everything remains on the table," he said. A major sticking point, making the formation a new party unlikely, is that Mr Palmer would insist on a binding party vote as was exercised when PUP had three senators.

"Clive can't give up control," said a senate source. Facing electoral oblivion: Senators Bob Day and David Leyonhjelm. Credit:Andrew Meares Fairfax Media has learned Bob Katter is set to host a similar crisis meeting with crossbenchers on Tuesday. Mr Palmer's meeting happened hours before a dinner for the crossbench hosted by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and some of his senior ministers at the Lodge. The event was marred by an outburst by Senator Jacqui Lambie who left early along with Senator Glenn Lazarus. According to guests, Senator Lambie embarked on a "rant" in which she accused all present of being "corrupt".

Senator Leyonhjelm intervened, telling the Tasmanian senator to "behave" but she left before an apple flan dessert was served. "Jacqui is unable to have a serious conversation without getting cranky, it's not helpful. Everyone was just so polite but she doesn't know how to have a civil conversation," said Senator Leyonhjelm. Senator Lazarus also left early, later tweeting that the he needed to stop by McDonald's on the way home because because serving sizes at the Lodge were for "stick insects". Once both senators had left, the conversation turned to senate voting reform, with Attorney-General George Brandis, Communications Minister Mitch Fifield, cabinet secretary Arthur Sinodinos and Mr Turnbull making "no concessions" on their plan to tear up the group voting ticket and allow voters to make their own preferences above the line. Micro parties believe they need to draw 5 per cent of the primary vote in a double dissolution or 10 per cent in a normal, half-senate election, to have a hope of being returned.

Senator Leyonhjelm's idea of a joint ticket would be similar to the Coalition, which will be able to display the Liberal Party and National Party logos on the ballot under the proposed changes. But three logos would not be acceptable and there is a wide gulf in the parties' stance on social issues, especially between the LDP and Family First. Senator Day said he could be attracted to a joint ticket where each party ran their own campaigns but urged voters to back a grouping of "independents" on the ballot paper. "We're in survival mode now, this is an existential threat and yes, we are considering radical ideas," he said. Senator Leyonhjelm said joint logos on the ballot might prove difficult. "Would an LDP vote be happy voting for the party with Family First or Clive Palmer on a joint ticket? We're not sure," he said.

A senate source said the idea for a super-micro party was not going to work and should be dispensed with before the election is any closer. "What are you going to call this party? The Three Amigos? Or perhaps the I-Want-To-Keep-My-Job Party." Loading A PUP spokesman declined to comment. Follow us on Twitter