The coalition and opposition have been accused of lying over schools funding as debate on government legislation fires up in the Senate.
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson says she's now the subject of robocalls by the construction union in Queensland over her party's support for the government's overhaul, dubbed Gonski 2.0.
"This is basically like the Medicare scare Labor did," she told parliament on Wednesday, referring to Labor's so-called Mediscare campaign during the 2016 federal election.
"You lie to people, you're hypocrites."
Senator Hanson accused Labor of opposing the package for its own political agenda instead of considering what was best for the nation, conceding she had her own reservations about the $18.6 billion plan but was willing to give it a chance.
"It's a pity that this place doesn't really sit down and have clear discussions about what's best for the people," she said.
Senator Hanson insists quality of teachers is to blame for problems within the education system.
"These do-gooders who want everyone to feel good about themselves, they've come into the education system and they're saying to kids, 'you're alright, you don't have to compete'," she said.
Former Liberal turned independent Cory Bernardi unleashed on the government, accusing it of lies and "blackmail" and insisting he could not see a way to support the bill.
Cabinet ministers were contradicting each other in their bid to win his crossbench vote, trying to secure his support for an "unfunded starship conski" by insisting a deal with him would be better than one done with the Greens.
The Liberal party had "completely lost the plot and jumped into bed with the big spending, big taxing ideas from the other side of the chamber".
"I remember when the coalition actually had some principles," Senator Bernardi told parliament.
"I do not trust the government, they have abandoned their principles."
Greens senators have yet to indicate how they will vote, telling the chamber negotiations with the government are ongoing.
The Greens have nine of the 10 crossbench votes the government needs to pass its package.
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