Malcolm Turnbull has talked down changes to the Senate voting system, saying crossbenchers are as "democratically elected" as he is.
Special Minister of State Mal Brough says reform is urgently needed to stop the system being "gamed" by preference deal makers.
Mr Brough's comments, shortly after he was sworn in on Monday, angered some on the crossbench, with Liberal Democrat David Leyonhjelm threatening "war" in the form of a parliamentary boycott.
But the new prime minister says the government has no specific plans to overhaul the system.
"I enjoy a very good working relationship with the Senate crossbench," Mr Turnbull told Sky News on Wednesday.
When asked about the election of Senator Ricky Muir of the Australian Motoring Enthusiast Party, Mr Turnbull said: "He is as democratically and constitutionally elected ... as I am".
Senator Muir, who was elected in 2013 with just 0.51 per cent of the Victorian primary vote, said he wasn't a fan of the protest suggested by Senator Leyonhjelm.
"It would be irresponsible to just go into a protest vote and not allow (bills) to pass - I take everything on its merit," Senator Muir told ABC radio.
But he argued any changes to electoral laws would constitute a power-grab to shore up the major parties.
Independent senator Nick Xenophon has already declared he's willing to work with Mr Brough.
In 2014, a bipartisan committee recommended voters be allowed to mark preferences above the line on Senate ballot papers or not to have to number all the boxes below the line.
Mr Turnbull said he was assuming the election would be held in about 10 or 11 months.
Palmer United Party leader Clive Palmer said Senator Xenophon's support for change was "sour grapes" because he failed to get any running mates elected in 2013.
"Just because Nick Xenophon doesn't like the outcome of an election, he does not have the right to change the system which has been responsible for the society and freedoms we now enjoy in Australia," Mr Palmer said.
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