Despite the threat of working into the winter break, opposition senators appear in no hurry to pass the carbon tax repeal.
Labor and the Australian Greens dragged out debate on the repeal on Wednesday, using the final stage before a vote to speak for several hours.
When debate adjourned at 12.45pm, the government was still answering questions on a Labor amendment, with two from the Greens still to come. Debate is due to resume briefly on Wednesday evening.
But Finance Minister Mathias Cormann didn't seem concerned and reminded senators they weren't going anywhere until they got the job done.
The Senate has agreed to extend sitting hours and come back every day for 14 hours after Friday until the repeal and four other bills are dealt with.
They were due to begin a five-week break on Friday.
The carbon tax repeal package is expected to pass after the government agreed to Clive Palmer's demand to force companies to pass on savings to consumers.
But the government hasn't yet moved to gag and guillotine debate - an option if they have enough support in the Senate.
"What we've got here today is a Labor-Green shift work, tag team, relay filibuster," Senator Cormann said.
"This has gone around and around in circles."
The repeal package has come before the Senate twice before, with several senators already speaking at length on the issue.
Other bills the government wants dealt with before the break include the mining tax repeal, laws to allow foreign investment in Qantas and asset recycling.
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