A late Coalition pledge to cut federal public service spending by $2.7 billion over four years is threatening the government’s ability to control the Senate, with the promise undermining ACT Liberal senator Zed Seselja’s campaign against former Wallaby captain David Pocock, who is running as an independent.

The Coalition announced on Tuesday that it would increase the annual efficiency departments are required to achieve, from 1.5 per cent to 2 per cent of departmental expenses.