Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has been handed the trigger to call a historic double-dissolution election for July 2, with the Senate rejecting key building industry legislation for a second time, 36 votes to 34.
At Mr. Turnbull's request, Governor-General Peter Cosgrove had recalled M-Ps and senators three weeks early to debate two bills: the first to bring back building industry regulator, the Australian Building and Construction Commission, or A-B-C-C.
The second piece of legislation concerns placing tougher governance rules on trade unions and has already been blocked several times.
Speaking on A-B-C television, Greens leader Richard Di Natale says he is unsurprised by Monday night's decision.
Mr. Turnbull had declared the legislation would be used as cause to call an election if it was rejected, insisting the construction industry needed a watchdog to stamp out corruption.
The coalition had needed the support of six of the eight crossbench senators to pass the bill.
While several senators voted for a second reading of the bill, Labor, the Greens, and several other crossbenchers voted it down.
Queensland senator Glenn Lazarus told Sky News he had made his position clear from the start.
The Prime Minister is now expected to call the election after the Budget is released on May the 3rd.
Speaking with the ABC, Attorney-General George Brandis dismissed concerns over polls predicting a close contest.
Opposition Senate leader Penny Wong told the ABC, Labor is focusing on delivering on the issues important to Australians.
During earlier debate, the Federal Opposition launched an attack on the Governor-General about the recall of parliament.
Senator Stephen Conroy told the Senate the Government prorogued, or recessed, the parliament to obtain a political advantage, accusing Sir Peter Cosgrove of overturning the will of the Senate. Senator Conroy was warned he was close to violating standing orders.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten later said Senator Conroy's remarks were what he called "intemperate and unnecessary."
Mr. Shorten later again pushed for a royal commission into Australia's banking and financial-services industries, calling for a full day of parliament to be set aside on Wednesday (April 20) to debate it.
The Government has used its numbers to block the move and continues to reject Labor's demands.
Mr Turnbull had declared the legislation would be used as cause to call an election if it was rejected, insisting the construction industry needed a watchdog to stamp out corruption.
The coalition had needed the support of six of the eight crossbench senators to pass the bill.
While several senators voted for a second reading of the bill, Labor, the Greens, and several other crossbenchers voted it down.
Queensland senator Glenn Lazarus told Sky News he had made his position clear from the start.
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