Senate deal close on income tax cuts

The government is closing in on a deal with the Senate crossbench to pass its full package of income tax cuts within weeks and sideline a non-committal Labor Party.

The Coalition boosted its Senate numbers to 35 at the May 18 election and, with the pledged support of Australian Conservatives Senator Cory Bernardi, has 36 of the 39 votes needed to pass the entire $158 billion package.