Liberal Democratic senator David Leyonhjelm says the crossbench will be at "war" with the Federal Government if it changes the way senators are elected.

It comes after the new Special Minister of State Mal Brough revealed he hoped to have changes to the Senate voting rules in place before the next election.

Mr Brough argues the current system, which has seen eight minor party senators elected, is complicated, does not always reflect a voter's intentions, and has been "gamed".

"People of the hard left, for argument's sake, are inadvertently having their vote cast in such a way that it elects a hard right and vice versa, which is totally against what they actually wished to do," Mr Brough said.

"I think you'd find some people horrified to learn that their vote actually ended up where it did."

Senator Leyonhjelm said the Government risked the crossbench blocking its legislative agenda if it embarked on Mr Brough's plan.

"We would retaliate. I think the entire crossbench would become totally hostile, if we thought this was a realistic chance of proceeding," he said.

"We would vote against Government bills, we would be uncooperative on procedural matters.

"It'll be war, there'll be no concessions, no nice guy, it'll be hostilities like you've never seen before."

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Watch Duration: 13 minutes 36 seconds 13 m Mal Brough speaks to Lateline

Family First senator Bob Day challenged Mr Brough's assertion the current system led to votes ending up with parties to which voters did not want them to go.

"Anyone with a computer can look up who the party has preferenced," he said.

Senator Day said Mr Brough's proposed changes would entrench the Greens as the permanent balance of power party in the Senate.

As to whether such a move would influence the way he voted on legislation, Senator Day said it was irrelevant because he did not think the Government would carry it out.

Brough's plan a 'power grab': Muir

Motoring Enthusiast Senator Ricky Muir said Mr Brough's plan would represent a "power grab".

"If it wasn't for the Senate crossbench, there would be a six-month wait for Newstart, a GP co-payment, major cuts to Family Tax Benefit and a deregulated university system," he said.

"Last time the Government had a majority in the Senate, the Australian people got Work Choices.

"I would like to remind the new Special Minister of State, and indeed the Prime Minister, that although it can be difficult negotiating with a diverse crossbench, sometimes we protect the Government from themselves.

"I feel any reform, no matter how it is sold to the people, is nothing more than a power grab to protect the major parties."

Palmer United Party Senator Dio Wang said the first he heard about the proposal was through the media.

"It's actually the first time I've heard Mal Brough talking about this idea and never met him before," Senator Wang said.

"I think probably a lesson I learned on the Abbott government's behalf or in their perspective, is never talk to the crossbench through the media. If they want a conversation, have it face to face."

Senator Wang said he would work "constructively" with the new Turnbull Government and the Federal Opposition, despite threats by Senator Leyonhjelm to obstruct legislation.

"I think it's probably too early to speculate about the crossbench actions because I don't think, frankly, the Government is going to push ahead with this reform," he said.

Greens, Xenophon back proposal to change rules

The Greens and Independent Senator Nick Xenophon have backed Mr Brough's push to change the rules.

"Get rid of the group voting tickets, where basically preference whisperers and backroom deals can rule the roost, and let's have instead a system where there's a minimum of three or a minimum of six above the line, with a minimum of 12 below the line," Senator Xenophon said.

Independent Senator Glenn Lazarus told the ABC he would consider changes to the Senate voting system but was sceptical about the Government's motives.

"Look I'm happy to look at changes I think the people need to have more say in who represents them in the Senate," he said.

"This is just the way the Government is trying to be less accountable by not having a crossbench of senators as large as what we have got," Senator Lazarus said.

Independent Senator John Madigan said he was willing to discuss the issue with Government.

"As with any issue, I'm willing to discuss this with the Government and I will consider any proposed reform package on its merits should it eventuate."