Govt criticised over Senate schedule

Greens Leader Bob Brown: "The problem is that governments are frightened of the Senate, they always have been," he said.

The Federal Government has been criticised by senators who say they are under pressure to rush through legislation in the final week of Parliament.

The Senate will this week debate key Government bills in areas like industrial relations, infrastructure and school funding.

Senators are facing extended sittings as they try to move the legislation through before the Christmas break, which runs from next week through until February.

Greens Leader Bob Brown is critical of the Government's refusal to sit for an extra week and has his own theory.

"The problem is that governments are frightened of the Senate, they always have been," he said.

He has called for more sitting weeks next year.

Liberal Senator Eric Abetz says he will not be rushed.

"The Senate has a role to properly consider legislation, and that's what we'll do," he said.