Four positions later, Hinch firm on tax

Despite nominating four different positions in a fortnight on the backpacker tax, Derryn Hinch wants everyone to believe he's now not budging from a 13 per cent rate.

The independent senator has the vote the government needs to end a parliamentary impasse before the long summer break, by supporting its planned rate of 15 per cent.

That was his second position, having earlier backed the government's initial 19 per cent rate.

But on Wednesday Senator Hinch caught the government by surprise when he sided with Labor, the Greens and fellow cross benchers Jacqui Lambie, Rod Culleton and David Leyonhjelm on 10.5 per cent.

Senator Leyonhjelm has since said he will support the 15 per cent rate when it comes to a vote after gaining privacy concessions from the government.

Senator Hinch wasn't for budging when asked on Thursday if he'd go back to 15 per cent.

He met with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Thursday morning to break the bad news.

"I just told him 'no, 13's the top,'" he said.

The government also rejected his request to delay the legislation for six months.

Senator Hinch said he changed his mind on 15 per cent when he realised it wouldn't be accepted by the upper house.

"I didn't care if it was 10 or if it was 15, I originally voted for 19," he admitted.

So why not 15?

Because he's now joined Senator Lambie and Senator Culleton.

"We've come up two-and-a-half points, why can't the government come down two points?"

Senator Hinch revealed Foreign Minister Julie Bishop had phoned him to make a "bleeding heart" argument about Pacific Islanders on seasonal work paying 15 per cent tax.

But they keep their superannuation, unlike working holiday makers, he countered.

Asked by reporters whether the crossbench trio would have rotten fruit on their hands, Senator Hinch said "so be it".

He was saved from further questioning when the Senate bells started ringing.

"I'm lucky, I've got a division," he said, running off.