The Turnbull government is likely to lose at least one seat at the next election as minor parties gear up for a fight over changes to the way Australians vote for senators, crossbencher David Leyonhjelm believes.
More than 35 minor parties have drawn up a hit list of marginal seats they plan to contest to "punish" the government and the Greens over their deal on Senate voting reforms - a move crossbenchers say will make it difficult for independents and minor parties to be elected.
Cabinet minister Peter Dutton's seat of Dickson is on the list, along with the seats of Assistant Minister Peter Hendy and Greens MP Adam Bandt.
Senator Leyonhjelm says the government would be likely to lose the Victorian seat of La Trobe, held by Jason Wood, and confirmed the Liberal Democrats planned to run a candidate there.
They're also eyeing a seat in NSW and Queensland.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
Mr Bandt told ABC radio on Monday he already faced a fierce contest for the seat of Melbourne at the last election.
He fired a warning shot to Senator Leyonhjelm, saying: "If he wants to bring his more guns less services agenda to Melbourne ... bring it on".
Senator Leyonhjelm said the comment was "silly".
"We're not even going to run in Melbourne," he told AAP.
He said Mr Bandt would lose his seat "in a heartbeat" if the Liberals stopped giving him their preferences.
Senator Leyonhjelm said progressive minor parties would target Mr Bandt's seat as well as Labor-held seats being challenged by the Greens, while conservative minor parties would target marginal Liberal-held seats, with preferences going to Labor.
