This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/apr/17/malcolm-turnbull-urges-quick-decision-on-bills-as-double-dissolution-inches-closer

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Malcolm Turnbull urges 'quick decision' on bills as double-dissolution inches closer Malcolm Turnbull urges 'quick decision' on bills as double-dissolution inches closer
(4 months later)
A double-dissolution election is inching closer, with the stalemate over industrial relations legislation continuing as the Coalition, Labor and the crossbenchers hold firm on their positions.A double-dissolution election is inching closer, with the stalemate over industrial relations legislation continuing as the Coalition, Labor and the crossbenchers hold firm on their positions.
Parliament will resume on Monday, after the prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, recalled both houses in order to pass the Australian Building and Construction Commission and registered organisations bills. Rejecting or failing to pass the bills will trigger a double-dissolution election on 2 July.Parliament will resume on Monday, after the prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, recalled both houses in order to pass the Australian Building and Construction Commission and registered organisations bills. Rejecting or failing to pass the bills will trigger a double-dissolution election on 2 July.
“We would welcome a quick decision on the ABCC and registered organisations,” the prime minister told reporters on Sunday. “We would encourage them to vote for those bills. If the Senate votes them down again, we encourage them to do so swiftly.”“We would welcome a quick decision on the ABCC and registered organisations,” the prime minister told reporters on Sunday. “We would encourage them to vote for those bills. If the Senate votes them down again, we encourage them to do so swiftly.”
Related: Malcolm Turnbull hits election gear as truck drivers rally in Canberra
It looks like he might get his wish.It looks like he might get his wish.
Last week Labor announced it would vote down legislation relating to the reestablishment of the construction industry watchdog, rather than using procedural motions to put off the vote.Last week Labor announced it would vote down legislation relating to the reestablishment of the construction industry watchdog, rather than using procedural motions to put off the vote.
On Sunday, the opposition leader, Bill Shorten, reiterated Labor’s position.On Sunday, the opposition leader, Bill Shorten, reiterated Labor’s position.
“They don’t really care about passing the ABCC legislation or not,” he said. “I get the clear impression that they want to have an election because they really don’t know what else they’re meant to do.“They don’t really care about passing the ABCC legislation or not,” he said. “I get the clear impression that they want to have an election because they really don’t know what else they’re meant to do.
“Labor is ready for an election whenever it occurs.”“Labor is ready for an election whenever it occurs.”
The attorney general, George Brandis, clarified that the government would expect both bills to pass in order to stave off an early election.The attorney general, George Brandis, clarified that the government would expect both bills to pass in order to stave off an early election.
“I think it’s impossible to imagine a set of circumstances in which the ABCC bill passes and the registered organisation bill doesn’t,” he told Sky News.“I think it’s impossible to imagine a set of circumstances in which the ABCC bill passes and the registered organisation bill doesn’t,” he told Sky News.
“If those bills don’t pass then the constitutional option available to us will be taken.“If those bills don’t pass then the constitutional option available to us will be taken.
“The constitution does provide a mechanism to resolve deadlocks and if there is a deadlock then we will avail ourselves of that constitutional mechanism.”“The constitution does provide a mechanism to resolve deadlocks and if there is a deadlock then we will avail ourselves of that constitutional mechanism.”
Related: Tony Abbott praises Bronwyn Bishop despite backing another candidate for Mackellar
The Coalition needs six of the eight crossbenchers to pass the bills, since they do not have the support of either Labor or the Greens.The Coalition needs six of the eight crossbenchers to pass the bills, since they do not have the support of either Labor or the Greens.
“Mr Turnbull apparently hasn’t bothered to talk to the crossbenchers so I’ve got no doubt that all Mr Turnbull is worried about this week is when to have an election,” Shorten said.“Mr Turnbull apparently hasn’t bothered to talk to the crossbenchers so I’ve got no doubt that all Mr Turnbull is worried about this week is when to have an election,” Shorten said.
A number of crossbench senators have proposed amendments to the ABCC bill. Glenn Lazarus wants it expanded to include corruption in other industries, effectively making the watchdog a national Icac.A number of crossbench senators have proposed amendments to the ABCC bill. Glenn Lazarus wants it expanded to include corruption in other industries, effectively making the watchdog a national Icac.
Nick Xenophon will support the bill being debated but will then introduce amendments of his own. He wants provisions in the bill to protect workplace health and safety, and procurement guidelines so building sites have to preference locally-produced goods.Nick Xenophon will support the bill being debated but will then introduce amendments of his own. He wants provisions in the bill to protect workplace health and safety, and procurement guidelines so building sites have to preference locally-produced goods.
The procurement amendment comes as steel workers in Xenophon’s home state of South Australia face an uncertain future after producer Arrium went into voluntary administration.The procurement amendment comes as steel workers in Xenophon’s home state of South Australia face an uncertain future after producer Arrium went into voluntary administration.
Xenophon acknowledges that his amendments are “unlikely to go through”.Xenophon acknowledges that his amendments are “unlikely to go through”.
“I think it is almost inevitable we will have a 2 July election,” the senator said.“I think it is almost inevitable we will have a 2 July election,” the senator said.
The Family First senator, Bob Day, is confident a high court challenge to the constitutionality of Senate voting changes, rushed through in the last sitting period, will be successful before the election.The Family First senator, Bob Day, is confident a high court challenge to the constitutionality of Senate voting changes, rushed through in the last sitting period, will be successful before the election.
“It’s pretty clear from the directions hearing so far that this case has got real merit,” he told the ABC’s Insiders program.“It’s pretty clear from the directions hearing so far that this case has got real merit,” he told the ABC’s Insiders program.
The case will be heard over two days – 2 May and 3 May, the day of the budget.The case will be heard over two days – 2 May and 3 May, the day of the budget.
Day said there was a possibility, “depending on what the ruling states”, that the Senate voting changes may not be applied during a 2 July double-dissolution election.Day said there was a possibility, “depending on what the ruling states”, that the Senate voting changes may not be applied during a 2 July double-dissolution election.
Related: Greens call for companies who use tax havens to be financially penalised
The voting changes would make it harder for minor parties like Day’s to be elected into the Senate on small margins.The voting changes would make it harder for minor parties like Day’s to be elected into the Senate on small margins.
Turnbull has also vowed to introduce legislation to abolish a tribunal that sets truck drivers’ pay rates in the next sitting week. The bill appears to have the numbers in the Senate to scrap the tribunal but legislation must first go through the House of Representatives before being debated in the Senate.Turnbull has also vowed to introduce legislation to abolish a tribunal that sets truck drivers’ pay rates in the next sitting week. The bill appears to have the numbers in the Senate to scrap the tribunal but legislation must first go through the House of Representatives before being debated in the Senate.
Labor will continue to push the idea of a royal commission into the banking industry, painting the prime minister as in the pocket of big banks.Labor will continue to push the idea of a royal commission into the banking industry, painting the prime minister as in the pocket of big banks.
“It is disgraceful that reports are now filtering out that Mr Turnbull’s gone to check with his bosses in the banking sector to get their permission to see what the banks will allow an elected democratic government of Australia to investigate,” Shorten said.“It is disgraceful that reports are now filtering out that Mr Turnbull’s gone to check with his bosses in the banking sector to get their permission to see what the banks will allow an elected democratic government of Australia to investigate,” Shorten said.
The Coalition has rejected a royal commission, saying the existing financial watchdog, the Australian Securities and Investment Commission, has the same powers as a broad-ranging inquiry.The Coalition has rejected a royal commission, saying the existing financial watchdog, the Australian Securities and Investment Commission, has the same powers as a broad-ranging inquiry.
News Ltd on Sunday reported the treasurer, Scott Morrison, was considering reinstating budget cuts made to Asic, and bolstering their powers, in order to deflect calls for a royal commission.News Ltd on Sunday reported the treasurer, Scott Morrison, was considering reinstating budget cuts made to Asic, and bolstering their powers, in order to deflect calls for a royal commission.