Senate powerbroker Nick Xenophon will meet with key ministers this week as the Turnbull government attempts to garner support for some $6 billion in welfare budget cuts.
Topping the agenda will be discussions with Social Services Minister Christian Porter over the government's planned changes to paid parental leave provisions to save $1.2 billion.
The government is pursuing an end to what former Liberal treasurer Joe Hockey labelled "double dipping" - a term Mr Porter is now keen to avoid - to stop new mums accessing the taxpayer-funded minimum wage scheme if their employer is running its own leave plan.
Senator Xenophon mocked the coalition over its lack of consistency on paid parental leave, accusing it of going from former prime minister Tony Abbott's Rolls Royce version to a noisy, oily, two-cylinder East German Trabant.
He told Sky News on Monday his team was still committed to keeping the scheme intact, but would reconsider if it could be made fairer - especially for women on average weekly earnings or less.
The senator will also meet with Treasurer Scott Morrison to discuss budget savings.
"If we don't make these savings, future generations will be paying more taxes for the benefits that people are currently receiving today," Mr Morrison told Sydney's 2GB radio.
He later told reporters global credit rating agencies have already issued their warning to the parliament about the need to support the government's plan to restore the budget to balance and increase Australia's financial resilience.
The NXT party supports the first stage of the government's 10-year plan to cut the company tax rate, which will affect businesses with a turnover of up to $10 billion for 2016/17.
The cuts for firms with a $25 billion turnover and then up to $50 billion are scheduled for 2017/18 and 2018/19 financial years respectively.
"We still have time to work through that," Senator Xenophon said.
"I believe there ought to be more targeted measures to stimulate economic growth, to stimulate jobs in a real and tangible way ."
The three-strong NXT party has become critical in the passage of legislation in the Senate should Labor and the Greens oppose government measures.
Last week, the treasurer said with the NXT party now in the box seat they can't "squib" their responsibility, comments Senator Xenophon felt were condescending.
"I really like Scott Morrison. We'll have our policy differences, but it was kind of a megaphone lecture," the South Australian senator said.
