Government lines up double dissolution bills

The Abbott government will put two bills before parliament to the Senate, which could hand it a double dissolution trigger.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott says other countries set "airy-fairy promises" to reduce carbon emissions. Have other countries met the targets? Source: AAP

The federal government will give itself the option of calling a double-dissolution election with legislation cracking down on union corruption.

Two bills which restore the powers of the Australian Building and Construction Commission and place greater penalties on dodgy union bosses will be sent to the Senate when parliament resumes in August, The Australian Financial Review reported.

Both could become triggers if rejected by the upper house again.